Neighbour moving. Workshop

[Julia121]

We arrived back from holiday some months ago to find our neighbor had built a large workshop. Contrary to our original belief the stretch of land it was built on was not part of the conservation area so difficult to claim a conservation breach. Looking at the estate agents spec the workshop is 23 feet long and 4 meters wide. I don't know the height but would put it at around 4 meters. It has been built slightly over his original boundary as trees that were on the boundary and on the adjacent public footpath have been cut down and concreted over providing the workshop base. The back of the workshop (4 meters) now forms the boundary. We couldn't do much about this at the time but knew he was brassic so seemingly push has come to shove and he's selling up.

My question is what's the best way to tackle this. Our best outcome is for him to demolish the workshop, removed the concrete base, put the fence back up. We don't wish him any malice and trusts he gets better suited elsewhere. I am happy to follow the guidance of our local council on such matters but is there anything blatantly obvious I need to be aware of before I start negotiations? I understand it's opinion only on PH.

[Julia121]

Thank you everyone for your support and helpful comments. Really appreciate it. Equus, Sir you are star!


I've been referring to them whilst looking through local failed planing applications in our area to see what refusal reasons keep cropping up and think I've tied it down to two objections. Also, I'd completely forgotten that he has already built another, bigger shed (over 40 sq meters) on the same land and didn't request planning permission. The land is Greenbelt. I understand my name is probably going to be made public but it's my home and there it is.

My planning objections would be based on the following points:

1) Both buildings are the on Greenbelt: Inappropriate development, siting and scale's dominant and detracting from the locality and appearance of the area, contrary to local plan and Core Strategy.

3) Both buildings combined amount to an 151% increase from the original curtilage so don't fall under Permitted Development.

The stupid thing here is I had totally forgotten about the other building so now both will be under review. If he'd just used a bit of sense. Anyway we are now led to believe that he has handed the keys in to the estate agents and vacated the house; left no forwarding address or phone number with us.

[Julia121]

LoL! Thank you JulianPH and Equus, I get the 50% policy directive. Equus thank you for the link and will look through this evening.

Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:

I can't speak for the OP's LPA, but recent experience has shown our one to be supine at best, and not understanding the rules at worst.

Fermit, I loathe appearing harsh but surely this approach isn't worth the distress you're both experiencing. In my situation I understand that the worst that can happen is I lose. And, as long as there's nothing blatantly wrong i.e. they inspected the wrong property, I won't be taking it further. Especially if the planning people appear inept. It is what it is.

It's a setback to be sure but I can take it in my stride because I have a plan B which affords me roughly the same outcome as if I'd have won. You don't appear to have a plan B to achieve what you want other than returning to plan A and shouting 'foul'.

[Julia121]

Hi and just a quick update and thanks to all for taking the time to post and share their knowledge.

We won, workshop has to come down. Bemused about the length of time given to do this (4 months before revisit) but as long as it definitely comes down then we're happy.

Thanks again everyone!!!

xx

[Julia121]

Well an update was requested so here goes.....


1) Next door neighbour was given six months to take shed down,

2) Next door neighbour moves in with rich divorcee and decides to sell and run,

3) Rightmove showed property a wreck; probably needs demolishing,

4) House sold cheap to travelers,

5) Shed still there.



So, how is everyone else's Sunday

[Julia121]

Thanks guys for your words of support. Not the best outcome to be sure. Fortunately we had plans B,C, and D just in case although never thought we'd go straight to plan D. Plan D's coming tomorrow to look at the house. They won't be moving in for a couple of weeks anyway so plenty of time to get things sorted.