Party Wall, Party Fence Wall, or Neither?

[Viperzs]

Slagathore said:

Does PWA still apply if you bring the wall in by a foot or so?

I know you'd lose a bit of space inside, but may be a small price to pay if you can bypass PWA/your neighbor all together?

I would imagine taking the wall down would be subject to the same act though? I presumed that would be the case and we submitted our plans on the basis that keeping the wall in place would be much easier.

Cow Corner said:

Remember the act is designed to enable works - in this case he can make it hard work, but he can’t stop you.

Don’t try to be clever to avoid triggering the act - build what you want and use the act for what it’s designed for - to manage construction on the boundary. The fees here shouldn’t be punitive.

I would be asking your PW surveyor to politely make the point to him that it’s in the neighbours interests to allow good access, given that the alternative is that he looks out at a wall that’s been built over hand for the next 20 years..

I definitely agree it's in his best interest to not be a complete penis about it, as builders can make the process rather unpleasant for him by being regularly inconvenient. Although I would rather everything stayed mature and civil!

It is good to know the general premise of the act is to enable works, rather than limit them. I'll get someone involved as a surveyor ASAP.