Neighbour fenced in council owned land

[WhatToDoWhoNow]

I've been away for 2 years- came back and my house (been rented but they didn't say anything) now has the shared bit of land between my house and neighbours fenced in.

This is affecting access to my house as I can no longer access the side of my house because of the fence.

Land is owned by the council. Does anyone know if I can complain about this, and how to prove that it is owned by council thanks

We need a diagram and do you have a right to access?

check with land registry to see what they own as the starting point

How do you know the neighbours fenced it in? It could very well be that the council have installed the fences?

A diagram would be useful though as it seems odd that land between your two houses isn't owned by either of you?

Thanks- will look at the land registry - every house is the same on this street and every other house the space between is looked after by the council - my deeds only show my boundaries so not 100% council but my opposite neighbours have shown me there deeds and the space in between is not owned by them.

I have no paper so very small on the back of some food packaging 😂 I tried on the computer but it was even worse.

It is clear the neighbours fenced it in as only house like it and they have a gate leading into their garden

What is the space for normally?

So they've basically nicked a bit of council land for themselves? Tell the council! I imagine they'll come down hard on this. CFs.

Can you check the local planning portal to see if they have had permission to do it?
Highly unlikely.
Can you speak to planning about it?

Just report them!

It looks like an illegal land grab. What is the impact to you? Did you used to drive over it to get to the other side of your house?

It looks like they’ve taken advantage of you not being in your house and them claiming the extra bit as “extra garden” to be honest I’d be having a word with them in the first instance and asking them to remove it then escalating it.

They are probably hoping that nobody notices and eventually it becomes theirs through adverse possession. Report it to council.

RICS Boundary dispute surveyor will work it through with the land registry and both of you.

2 issues -
1 is they are stopping you accessing your house
2 they have enclosed council land
Contact the council and try sending a formal letter requesting they remove the fence.
If that doesn't get anywhere, you may have to go down a legal route.
See if you have any legal cover with your house insurance.

It is possible that they have bought it off the council. Worth asking the neighbour directly. If they haven't then you could approach the council to buy it!
Did you have access rights over the council land anyway?

You will still have access rights for maintenance under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992.

Have you got a burly bloke or muscles yourself ? Remove the part that stops you accessing your home.
.Seems you have a case of cheeky fuckery on your hands op.
Ring the council now and ask for planning. See if they have any knowledge or put you on to the right dept
When I lived in a very open plan estate you could purchase the bit of grass at the front of your own home for £1500 but had no effect on the ndn

I agree with those saying get in touch with the council and check if they have approached them to purchase it. It seems unusual for every house to have council land between them, did you have permission to go onto this land and was it maintained by the council?

Just report them.

Ask them if they’ve purchased the land from the council. Also ask the council and say it’s causing you difficulties - would you buy the land if you’re able to because it seems a strange set up

Wouldn't first step be to check with the council department - planning probably - and ask them if it's still their land?

I do know area near IL where council land between back fences and public footpath has been sold off to some houses - and other have further back fences and others haven't paid but moved fences relying on council not checking - with some then getting caught out.

I know railway lines regually check for land encroachment near their tracks think some councils are similar.

I'd be reporting to the council - look on the website for the Property Services team or Planning team.

Lots of cheeky fuckers out there who try for a land grab and rely on the council not having the time or resources to enforce.

Just knock it down in the dark. Cheeky bastards.

You can buy a copy of their title plan from the Land Registry. Do that before making a fuss.

If it’s not registered to them and the council aren’t interested, then you need to start using it without asking their permission first. Otherwise, after ten years they may be able claim adverse possession. It sounds like two years have passed already.

Could they have bought it from the council? Do your deeds show any easement or right of access over this land?