Neighbours building work requiring access

[Cats_pyjamas]

Just looking for opinions really (first world problems).

I think the neighbour may be having some drainage issues in his garden. So I guess is looking at getting a soak away dug.

He had a contractor over today and was on about taking his garden wall down (which ajoins my garage) highlighted red. His wall I guess he can do what he likes.

My concern being when if this wall comes down then the heavy machinery will require access across my drive (highlighted blue).

Main concerns being my drive is going to be ruined. The neighbour could have access on the other side of his house, but this would mean driving machinery over his precious garden. Rather than my drive.

The neighbour seems to be oblivious to the fact the back corner of his garden was once the access to the field on which the small estate is built (highlighted pink). Access is still present (dropped curb) although used as a foot path and a bit overgrown. Would the council likely allow access in through this route?

Not sure I feel unreasonable, but I've had this guy ranting at my friend for dropping me off at 10pm on a Sunday night and 'blocking his access' (was unloading for 5 mins). Rather than politely asking him to move. So I guess I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

If the drainage has been such an issue I am not sure why he didn't contact the builder whilst the property was still under guarantee.

Edited by Cats_pyjamas on Thursday 14th August 19:47

Edited by Cats_pyjamas on Thursday 14th August 19:54

[Rough101]

Rubber tracked mini diggers working over OSB sheets shouldn’t damage your drive, or permanently damage his grass.

[Jazoli]

I’d tell him to jog on personally and use his own access route on his own land if he’s been an awkward knob previously.

[mikeiow]

Jazoli said:

I’d tell him to jog on personally and use his own access route on his own land if he’s been an awkward knob previously.

Agreed. Point out he can put matting on his grass to gain access. End of conversation.
The flip side is you have to be neighbours, but if he has already pissed you off, why worry.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Chance of council noticing or caring about someone bumping up a dropped kerb must be low?

But yes, boards over his grass.

[g7jtk]

Tell him to jog on if he’s like that.
As others have said access can be gains over his garden. Small diggers are available that are small enough to pass through a house or a couple of men with a spade.

[cayman-black]

surrounded by houses yet someone still builds a pool in there garden.

[steveo3002]

yeah jog on , if they mess up his lawn so what , easier than arguing they ruined your drive /clipped your car or guttering etc

[Inbox]

Just get a car in bits on your drive where needed, waiting for parts don't you know.

Still you do have to live next to him but is it just a digger going in, all the spoil needs to come out the same way as well. What is not clear is where the soak-away will be and any impact on your buildings, if it right behind the wall they will be digging off the end of your drive.

Where will the skip be going?

[Antony Moxey]

I might be tempted to leave something parked by the wall so that if he knocks it down he can’t gain access via your land.

[InitialDave]

Cats_pyjamas said:

Not sure I feel unreasonable, but I've had this guy ranting at my friend for dropping me off at 10pm on a Sunday night and 'blocking his access' (was unloading for 5 mins). Rather than politely asking him to move. So I guess I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

If you're going to say no, I'd be explicitly clear in my response that it's directly correlated his behaviour.
"You have been extremely rude in the past, and generally hard work and unneighbourly, so I'm disinclined to put myself out in order to do you a favour when you have a viable alternative that will allow you to get the work done".

Not sure it'll do any good, but as with children, some people simply don't understand how the way they interact with people matters unless they are outright told.

[LimmerickLad]

InitialDave said:

Cats_pyjamas said:

Not sure I feel unreasonable, but I've had this guy ranting at my friend for dropping me off at 10pm on a Sunday night and 'blocking his access' (was unloading for 5 mins). Rather than politely asking him to move. So I guess I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

If you're going to say no, I'd be explicitly clear in my response that it's directly correlated his behaviour.
"You have been extremely rude in the past, and generally hard work and unneighbourly, so I'm disinclined to put myself out in order to do you a favour when you have a viable alternative that will allow you to get the work done".

Not sure it'll do any good, but as with children, some people simply don't understand how the way they interact with people matters unless they are outright told.

This^^^^^^^^^^^

[Halmyre]

If he can get access through his garden, then that's how he should be getting access. You're under no obligation to put yourself out for his benefit.

[Antony Moxey]

InitialDave said:

Cats_pyjamas said:

Not sure I feel unreasonable, but I've had this guy ranting at my friend for dropping me off at 10pm on a Sunday night and 'blocking his access' (was unloading for 5 mins). Rather than politely asking him to move. So I guess I have a bitter taste in my mouth.

If you're going to say no, I'd be explicitly clear in my response that it's directly correlated his behaviour.
"You have been extremely rude in the past, and generally hard work and unneighbourly, so I'm disinclined to put myself out in order to do you a favour when you have a viable alternative that will allow you to get the work done".

Not sure it'll do any good, but as with children, some people simply don't understand how the way they interact with people matters unless they are outright told.

Or ‘not a chance, you go out of your way to act like a c*** so why should I do you any favours?’

[Peterpetrole]

As above, he's going to use your drive anyway, so you should physically block it to avoid any misunderstandings.

[Cats_pyjamas]

Thanks all for your comments.

We both try and keep ourselves to ourselves. However we had the Sunday Night access rant. We had the time I took a parcel in for him and gave it to him on the same day, he then came over the following day asking for his parcel and insinuated I stole it. And we had the time we had a woodburner installed, and they moaned their house was getting more dusty - it was September and we hadn't even lit it.

I don't want to be totally anti, but there are other options for access.

Edited by Cats_pyjamas on Friday 15th August 11:27

[Inbox]

Cats_pyjamas said:

Thanks all for your comments.

We both try and keep ourselves to ourselves. However we had the Sunday Night access rant. We had the time I took a parcel in for him and gave it to him on the same day, he then came over the following day asking for his parcel and insinuated I stole it. And we had the time we had a woodburner installed, and they moaned their house was getting more dusty - it was September and we hadn't even lit it.

I don't want to be totally anti, but there are other options for access.

Edited by Cats_pyjamas on Friday 15th August 11:27

Getting more dusty, really!

Definitely deserving of a meat and 2 veg drawn in his lawn using weedkiller or salt if you're feeling evil.

[steveo3002]

you know if you say they drive a digger on the driveway that will turn into storing all the materials and transit vans there too , then vanish and leave a mess

[Chrisgr31]

It looks as if they should be able to get access down that path way. That’s the direction I’d point him in.

[Cow Corner]

I used to deal with access/oversail licenses professionally, and while I haven’t read the proposals in detail, I’d make the point that even if the adjoining owner is a prat, it’s always sensible to try and keep relations cordial, particularly if, at some point, you might want to gain access via or place scaffold on their land to carry out your own works - extension/roof repair etc etc). Many on PH will say to tell him to sling his hook, but that’s not always sensible if you want to avoid worsening neighbourly relations.

It seems that in this case, they have a better option available, so definitely right to point them in that direction - but worth at least being seen to consider any reasonable requests they make and if refusing, providing sensible justification for that refusal.