Problem with local council

[TooMany2cvs]

cmaguire said:

If they replace the container with a more appropriate block-built storage then you may have no argument.

Until he wonders why the parish precept on his council tax has rocketed up - and that doesn't have the 2% cap that the rest of the CT bill does...

[herewego]

pits said:

mickthemechanic said:

Hi Pothole

Would you like a tin of custard on top of the container ?

PS Thanks to all the other posters who have replied.

Hmmmm, out of interest was the hard stand there prior to the container going down? If the answer is yes, were you using this as a parking space? And if yes to that, are you now a bit annoyed you have lost your own "private parking space"

It's hard to imagine that you can be serious.

[cmaguire]

TooMany2cvs said:

Until he wonders why the parish precept on his council tax has rocketed up - and that doesn't have the 2% cap that the rest of the CT bill does...

I expect he'd be happy to pay the small rise to get rid of that, although those that don't have it sat outside their properties might feel different.

[Ziplobb]

I would be quite annoyed - its not what you expect in return for your hard earned council tax - they have spent some money on that concrete base as well - it would not be so bad if there was someplanting abround it or it was disguised - I know one or to people who have these things in their garden and unless you look hard you would not think its a container. It would have be more appropiate to erect a used concrete sectional garage - it would have been more in keeping with the area. I think the best course of action is to see what all the other residents feel - if its the same way as you get the local rag involved and ut some pressure on your parish council.

[Rovinghawk]

pits said:

Hmmmm, out of interest was the hard stand there prior to the container going down?

I doubt very much that the container was there before the hardstanding.

[anonymous-user]

Ultimately:

It's not on your land. It does not affect you. You can't even see it.

As for affecting property price, no way.

You want the land next to your house to stay empty? Buy it. Otherwise you are, quite literally, a NIMBY.

[Alex_225]

I'm sure if it was a brick building or something that fits in with the rest of the area the OP wouldn't take issue with it.

Personally I think it's an eyesore as well and looks f*cking stupid. Nothing wrong with taking pride in the area you live in and you buy a property based on it's surroundings. It would annoy me as well.

Can't offer advice myself but hope you get somewhere with getting it removed or replaced with something a bit more in keeping.

[V8 Fettler]

Sell it on ebay, collection only.

[austinsmirk]

its horrible and I wouldn't want it next to me. but what council would store £1000's worth of grass cutting gear like that ?

eg I work for a housing association with 22,500 homes: no way would we be filling containers up with stilh gear etc on random green spots around the city

its all in one place, in a massively secure spot with 24 hr security.


I guess you must have seen the base go down- its clearly been planned and though about.

[Mammasaid]

austinsmirk said:

its horrible and I wouldn't want it next to me. but what council would store £1000's worth of grass cutting gear like that ?

eg I work for a housing association with 22,500 homes: no way would we be filling containers up with stilh gear etc on random green spots around the city

its all in one place, in a massively secure spot with 24 hr security.


I guess you must have seen the base go down- its clearly been planned and though about.

As mentioned before, a Parish Council, where this open space is probably the only parish land that they have to maintain. I agree, that the shipping container is ugly, however if the PC has put it there under permitted development rights, there's little can be done.

P.S. not everywhere in the UK is Mossside or Tower Hamlets, there are plenty of places where crime is low and this wouldn't attract vandals.

[xjay1337]

Only thing really would be to take it to local press and get a petition done by the local residents.

[herewego]

Mammasaid said:

austinsmirk said:

its horrible and I wouldn't want it next to me. but what council would store £1000's worth of grass cutting gear like that ?

eg I work for a housing association with 22,500 homes: no way would we be filling containers up with stilh gear etc on random green spots around the city

its all in one place, in a massively secure spot with 24 hr security.


I guess you must have seen the base go down- its clearly been planned and though about.

As mentioned before, a Parish Council, where this open space is probably the only parish land that they have to maintain. I agree, that the shipping container is ugly, however if the PC has put it there under permitted development rights, there's little can be done.

P.S. not everywhere in the UK is Mossside or Tower Hamlets, there are plenty of places where crime is low and this wouldn't attract vandals.

So you think they've deliberately put it in a well to do area where the neighbours will keep an eye on it for them?

[Mill Wheel]

Once the local scrotes get to hear of a few bits of garden machinery left unattended, they will soon sort this for you.
Shipping containers are easy to get into - even migrants in Calais can manage it with very little equipment in a few seconds.
I cannot believe the council have been so stupid. Machinery like this gets stolen from far more secure locations than that on a weekly basis around where my in laws live in West Lancs!

[Busa mav]

I feel for you OP, whoever decided that was a reasonable place to leave the monstrosity was just plain ignorant and inconsiderate.

I deal with planners every day and all I hear is their consideration to the street scene, that is just awful. Whilst it may be considered its lawful, it doesn't make it the right thing to do.

I would be truly pi$$ed off as well if it were next to my house.

[Thurbs]

I have some sympathy for you OP but as others have said, it is NIMBYish. I would also be a NIMBY in this instance but would probably accept it.

You could consider finding out what substances are stored in it. e.g. storage of fuel / chemicals would be prohibited unless risk assessed and mitigated etc. I rent some space in a barn on a farm and I have all sorts of restrictions on what I can and can’t store.

You may have to be nosey and get friendly with anyone who visits. Bring them a cup of tea and get chatting etc.

[mickthemechanic]

I work away from home my partner phoned me just before Christmas to tell me the hard standing was being put down. Obviously we did not know what for. I phoned the parish council who informed me of its purpose I objected at the time and have been planning to attend a parish meeting but I am going to have to take time off work to attend.

It is the parish clerk who I have been dealing with. It does not seem to register with him that this is a problem. Also the reason they want to store the equipment in the area is the parish council have taken over the cutting of the grass from the county council.


As some posters mentioned I would not have a problem if it was brick built shed and looked ok. I have a small sub station just outside the bottom of my garden it was there when I moved in don't have a problem with that.

As for an alternative site there is a car park at the opposite end of the park where the village recycling points are it should have been sited there in my opinion.

[mickthemechanic]

Pothole said:

I can't see a problem.

Of course you can't, you're blinded by your greatness.

[essayer]

I'm sure they'll rethink it the fourth time it gets broken into and everything stolen.

[iphonedyou]

I wouldn't be happy either, OP.

I don't think there's too much you can do though.

[mickthemechanic]

I think I am just going to have to take time off work to attend a parish meeting which will get my back up even more as I only see my family 2 weekends a month and like to keep my hols for when the kids are off.