Problem with local council

[mickthemechanic]

Hi

Wondering if there is anyone on PH who could advise me on a problem I have with the local parish council. I will try to explain this as best I can.

My house borders a open park area that consists of a of grassed area with a kids park etc. The local parish council have decided in there wisdom to permanently site a 20ft steel container right outside my fence line which they are using to store the equipment to cut the grass on the park. Now, I am not normally one to complain to council etc. but this has wound me up beyond belief. I have tried speaking to the local parish councillor but he does not seem to think there is a problem. I have had to stop communications with him as it was getting to the stage where I was going to say something to him that would not help the situation. I have also contacted the county council planning office. They set up an investigation and sent someone out to check on the situation. I received an email yesterday stating the container was within permitted development rights of the parish council also the parish council own the land that the container is sited on.

I am just not sure where to take this now. Would I have a legal case here as I feel this is an eyesore and devaluing my property.

[mickthemechanic]

Hi

Yes but I am not sure about posting pics of where I live on the internet.

[mickthemechanic]

Pothole said:

Move on, everyone. This tells us all we need to know.

Hi

Not sure what your trying to say in your reply.

[mickthemechanic]

Hi Pothole

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

PS Thanks to all the other posters who have replied.

[mickthemechanic]

randlemarcus said:

Ugly, but you dont have any windows on the upper floor facing that way, and once the growths on your fenceline are wrangled back under control, you should have a good sight screen from those.

I'd be tempted to cavil at the temporary tag - while the container obviously is, the nice shiny new hard-standing doesn't scream temporary to me.

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I know I cant see it from inside but its just annoying me that its there and as you say its ugly. Also the council have stated that it is stating there permanently.

[mickthemechanic]

essayer said:

If that's your house on the left then I don't think it's that bad.

It looks like it'll be blocked by the hedge in summer and it's a suitably subdued colour?

Hi

Yes that's my house on the left. To the right is the open grass area.

[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.

[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.

[mickthemechanic]

TooMany2cvs said:

It's not exactly majestic sweeping unspoiled views of a national park and mountains, is it?

No but it is my home.

[mickthemechanic]

TooMany2cvs said:

Like I already said, I sympathise with your position.

I understand how it's hard for you to be dispassionate, too - but that is not actually on your property, not actually impinging on your view, and the view isn't exactly a selling feature of the property in the first place.

So if I lived somewhere with rolling hills and beautiful views it would be a problem ?. I think that's a little unfair I didn't buy a house next door to a industrial estate and I don't think its suitable to be placed in a residential area.

[mickthemechanic]

Pothole said:

It's not a view of anything from the OP's house. He can't see it unless he makes the effort to walk round to do so.

Massive NIMBY.

Not only are you a internet hard man but you even need to hide behind someone else doing it.

Oh and 23k posts do you cry yourself to sleep at night wondering what the touch of a warm woman feels like ?

[mickthemechanic]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

If it genuinely is an eyesore the earlier suggestion of bamboo is a good one. It fills spaces rapidly, and can grow 14 foot tall, can be chopped back to thin out easily too. We have some to screen our rear driveway from the garden. Just a word of warning, if you plant bury concrete (old paving slabs of ebay are ideal) at least a foot and a half deep, as if not the roots shall spread, and you'll end up with a jungle of them (not kidding!) that a panda would be happy to call home in no time at all.

Yes the suggestion of Bamboo is a good one. I hadn't considered having something planted around it. If I can't get it moved I think that would definitely ease the situation a little.

[mickthemechanic]

herewego said:

Perhaps it is a council house.

Hi

No its private

[mickthemechanic]

herewego said:

I meant the container.

[mickthemechanic]

Gavia said:

This is a good question that could do with an answer

No the tarmac you see in the photo is a footpath not a road there are bollards just out of sight to the left.

[mickthemechanic]

Trabi601 said:

What kind of areas do some of you live in if a container is going to attract anti-social behaviour?!

Hi

I am an ordinary bloke who lives in a ordinary house in a ordinary area. Vandalism is not a major problem in the area but the chances are fair that it will happen as its a bit of target. The area I live in to me is a good area I'm happy for my kids to grow up here and they seem to be doing ok. If I could afford a walled mansion I would probably buy one but I'm not so I can't but I am happy. Apart from the container.

[mickthemechanic]

iwantagta said:

Is this not very simply solved:
http://www.containerlift.co.uk/transport/
Arrange pickup and delivery to the parish council building.

It just so happens I am a HGV Technician with HGV licence and know a lot of people in haulage. Believe me I have thought that one through.

[mickthemechanic]

brrapp said:

I'd imagine that that area is defined as 'Public open space' as defined in the Open Spaces Act 1906 and as such isn't covered by normal permitted development rules and should require change of use planning permission to erect any 'buildings' or remove any part of the open space from free public access. I think your Parish Council may have got this wrong and it might be worth while pursuing this further.

I have had the county council planning office involved unfotunately its within the rules according to them.