Pigs!

grenjs

Hi, I'm new to this forum, so please forgive any elementary mistakes I may make!

As the title to this thread says, we have a problem with pigs - Saddleback pigs to be more precise.

The neighbour at the end of our garden has decided he wants to keep these pigs and the pig sty has been set-up against the border of his and our property.

When the prevailing wind is in our direction (which it is for the vast majority of the year), the stench from the pigs means we are unable to comfortably use the vast majority of our garden. At times we can smell the pigs inside the house and preparing food on hot days is impossible unless the doors are closed (unless we are prepared to have fly's all over our food as it is being prepared).

It's gotten to the situation where we feel we want to move, but the stink would deter any new buyer. It has devalued our house.

We have approached the council on many occasions, but they say they are powerless to act!

I am now thinking of appealing against our council tax and getting a downgrade from Band D in protest.

Has anyone done similar before? If so were you successful?

Any advice how we can get ourselves back to a normal life without these pigs stinking us out of house and home would be gratefully received!!

Thanks in advance.

Vibrant

Have you checked your house deeds, it is very common to have clauses preventing the keeping of livestock.

grenjs

Vibrant wrote: »

Have you checked your house deeds, it is very common to have clauses preventing the keeping of livestock.

Vibrant, thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

There is 90 years difference between the two houses. Ours was built in the early 1960's, and the neighbour in question in the 1870's. I think under the circumstances the deeds may well have differing conditions and there isn't a way as far as I know of checking their deeds.

tazandtommy

Have you checked your house deeds, it is very common to have clauses preventing the keeping of livestock.

My deeds say I can't keep live stock, but the council say it was fine for me to keep chickens (I have six), I don't know if it is true or not but even if it says 'no livestock' I have heard this does not cover pigs.

Have a word with your naighbro and ask if they would mind moving the sty, on at least try to do something about the smell

grenjs

tazandtommy wrote: »

My deeds say I can't keep live stock, but the council say it was fine for me to keep chickens (I have six), I don't know if it is true or not but even if it says 'no livestock' I have heard this does not cover pigs.

Have a word with your naighbro and ask if they would mind moving the sty, on at least try to do something about the smell

Thanks TazandTommy,

Tried that, it's a no go. If he moves them they are nearer his house and he'd be able to smell them.

Vibrant

You could try contacting Environmental Health, they may be more use than the council.
Your local MP may also be able to apply pressure to the appropriate authorities.
If any other neighbours are also being bothered by the smell, band together and complain, many voices are far more powerful than one.
Basically just make a nuisance of yourself with the authorities, eventually they will do something for a bit of peace and quiet.

Have you tried inviting your neighbour into your garden, to see how bad the smell is?

If all else fails, wait until the neighbour is out, nip over the fence and get a small amount of pig manure and mix it in the borders near the neighbours house. Do this several times, so the smell slowly increases. You may make him change his mind about keeping pigs.

Sue-UU

Vibrant wrote: »

You could try contacting Environmental Health, they may be more use than the council.
Your local MP may also be able to apply pressure to the appropriate authorities.
If any other neighbours are also being bothered by the smell, band together and complain, many voices are far more powerful than one.
Basically just make a nuisance of yourself with the authorities, eventually they will do something for a bit of peace and quiet.

Have you tried inviting your neighbour into your garden, to see how bad the smell is?

If all else fails, wait until the neighbour is out, nip over the fence and get a small amount of pig manure and mix it in the borders near the neighbours house. Do this several times, so the smell slowly increases. You may make him change his mind about keeping pigs.

A great post Vibrant!!! :T A good idea about contacting Environmental Health, I'd definately give that a try grenjs as they may be more able than anyone else to help. Bring in the MP too.

I can really appreciate exactly what you're talking about as my Aunt's neighbour always had them and in the summer, especially at tea time the stench was foul. The trouble is you don't even need to be near to them as that pong really travels a a right rate.

I'd certainly go along with Vibrant's last paragraph, that would really be a way to drive the message home.

The very best of luck and do please let us know how things go.

Sue