High bushes blocking my light!!!

TJ27

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

there is no "right to light"

I think you'll find that there is but I very much doubt it applies in this case. It applies mainly to large new developments I think.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1959/cukpga_19590056_en_1

retrocircles

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Again, not necessarily so. Property development is a planning issue. True, there are some restrictions regarding light, but there is no right to light in law and no right to sunlight. If there were, then no extensions could ever be built, except for those properties that face directly north and never receive any direct sunlight at all.

No, I actually can't build a 2 storey extension due to the 'right to light'. My planning application WAS rejected on these grounds. It certainly might not be necessarily so in EVERY case, but it is here, and something our council is VERY strict on.

retrocircles

Idiophreak wrote: »

Actually, you can - our neighbours did just that to us. We appealed in the planning process but made no difference.

As DFC says, nothing to stop you cutting the stuff overhanging your property. Also nothing to stop you "preparing" for your new flower bed by digging a deep hole at the bottom of your garden, removing any roots and so on that might take moisture away from your new veggy patch...Of course you then risk having large, dead, trees at the end of the garden, which might be even worse...

Probably best to start with asking them to cut the things...

As my post above, I can't.
I have to have a single storey only.

retrocircles

Oblivion wrote: »

One aspect that doesn't seem to have been mentioned yet ...

The school may actually think they are doing you a favour in creating this high screen which presumably has some effect in blocking out the sight and noise of children. Equally, if this boundary extends along several neighbours back gardens, then some of your neighbours may be glad to have the high screen for that reason.

Dave.

There aren't children in the area. The school is actually about a football field's length down the road. We have the bottom end of the football field. It's so far away we can't even hear children.

RetroBob

As mentioned above, you have a right to light but not to a view.

Two words. Copper. Nails.

(see below for my actual suggestion).



If you ask them to cut the things and they say they can't organise it due to time/money constraints - why not come back and say, look, as it'll benefit me, I'll do it for free.

retrocircles

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

there is no "right to light"

I guess my planning application got rejected on the grounds of.... erm... ? My right hand side neighbour having a right to light! That's the one!

nobblyned

What did the school say when you called them?

neas

Good job you live next to a school.

I'd dislike having a neighbour like you. Not trying be nasty but look how you portray yourself:

1. Allowed hedges to grow for ... a long period of time (years who knows)... yet know decide you 'need' the light.. so stop spouting 'its my right this my right that' etc.
2. Haven't even bothered to talk human to human... asking for compromise change.... you just demand and whinge/moan/complain... again with the 'im right' attitude
3. very argumentative.

When people have to live together for many years... it would be an idea to be tactful, sociable and friendly.... as it makes things easier for all. Trying to do the childish ME ME ME ME attitude.. only leads to conflict, misery and problems.

Yet as people neighbours always seem to get very territorial and aggressive over things that don't need to be.

Debt_Free_Chick

retrocircles wrote: »

I guess my planning application got rejected on the grounds of.... erm... ? My right hand side neighbour having a right to light! That's the one!

Your plans were wrong

Seriously, if you had modified your plans, you would have had them passed. Did you discuss what would be acceptable with the Planning Officer? You are not allowed to block ALL light from a neighbour - but your neighbour is not necessarily entitled to keep ALL of their current light. There is a compromise and the planning laws aim to achieve that.

There is no automatic statutory right to light. A right can be acquired, but it must be "claimed" - without the claim, the right doesn't exist. This "right", if it's claimed, is not the same as the compromise that the planning laws aim to achieve, though.