Developers digging up our road without permission

Sugared-frog

In our current property we own the road which runs along the side of our property - it is unadopted. The road along the front is being developed by a big name house builder. We have asked to see the plans many times and not been shown how they intended to join the two roads. I spoke to the council this morning and they implied that the developers couldn't dig in the unadopted road without the owners permission - (us). I have come home tonight to find that they have dug a metre in to the unadopted road so that they can level it to their road surface and put in tactile paving for the blind in our road and bricks. We are responsible for the upkeep of this road and don't want bricks. The council person that I spoke to this morning implied that they had to work around our level and ask permission to dig it up.

I'm also worried about our boundary wall which was cracked anyway due to not great foundations but it has been getting worse during the development with them moving their large vehicles on what was the pavement - but they are taking it away and having a road right up to our boundary wall. I'm pretty certain it has shifted slightly today (lines I drew on the wall no longer exactly match up).

Does anyone know what my rights are - apparently someone is coming to talk to me tomorrow morning and I need to be prepared before then. I'm fed up being messed around by the developers (had several years of noise/dust/muddy roads/potholes/road closures etc). The stress of it all is making me feel unwell.

G_M

First, get photos of everything. Now! You'll need these for proof of any damage caused or unauthorised changes made.

Second, employ a surveyor. Get the wall etc reported on so that you have an expert witness to support your photos.

Third, stop the work. Put up a barrier (learn a few lessons from the Travellers at Dale Farm??!)

Fourth, write to Head Office. Better still, get a solicitor to write.

Is it just you affected? Or does the unadopted road lead to other houses? If others are involved, start talking to them.

Sugared-frog

Thanks - just talking about it helps a bit!

Other houses are further along the unadopted road but we own the bit that has been dug up (though it there was a later problem with it they would all be liable for fixing it). Somehow they seem less bothered by it whilst my heart is pounding from getting emotional about it!!! :mad:

I'm not going to be able to sort out a surveyor or solicitor before tomorrow morning though I did tell the builder that the didn't have permission to do the work he has done and can not do further work on it until we have sorted it out.

Bin men are due tomorrow so I don't think my neighbours would be pleased if I put up a barrier since they didn't collect our bins last week due to the narrowness of the access that the developers had left. Though I would love to:rotfl:

I'm just trying to prepare myself for this meeting first thing tomorrow so they can't just walk over me!

DVardysShadow

Sugared-frog wrote: »

... Does anyone know what my rights are - apparently someone is coming to talk to me tomorrow morning and I need to be prepared before then. I'm fed up being messed around by the developers (had several years of noise/dust/muddy roads/potholes/road closures etc). The stress of it all is making me feel unwell.

Relax a bit. The meeting need not be such a big ordeal if you insist that they do nothing without your written permission - and that based on your discussions they should write with their proposals so you can get advice.

The meeting can be a bit more relaxed if you make it clear that nothing binding will be agreed tomorrow.

atush

If you play your cards right, you can get a brand new wall and paved road for your permission.

Yorkie1

Do you have legal cover on your house insurance? Might be worth looking to see whether it covers you for this?

Sugared-frog

I think we have some kind of cover ...whether it includes this I'm not sure I will have to look and see.

vax2002

Who has the deeds to your property ? if it is the mortgage company then they could have given permission.

BargainGalore

What has this got to do with this thread

Its the OP's land therefore anyone who wants to work on it has to ask permission from the land owner

We are in UK not US so its irrelevant what you posted

kee2011_uk wrote: »

Owning the Road Rules


There's been some stateside progress: Over the next three years, New York City is set to add 200 miles of cycling routes for urban riders, including designated lanes and vehicle-free paths. Chicago unveiled an ambitious Bike 2015 Plan, which outlines 150 strategies to make cycling 'an integral part of daily life' and reduce injuries by 50 percent. These initiatives should serve as models for other cities and towns interested in intelligent road design. Meanwhile, there are a few simple ways for cyclists in all riding environments to remain safe and undaunted.

So actually, CYCLISTS own his road, not him.

Mrs_Arcanum

Surely they should have obtained a wayleave before touching your unadopted road. However it may just be the contractors have made spurious assumptions about the unadopted road and if you mention their errors something should be sorted out. You could end up with the whole road repaired and benefit the neighbours too.

Mrs_Arcanum

kee2011_uk wrote: »

Owning the Road Rules


There's been some stateside progress: Over the next three years, New York City is set to add 200 miles of cycling routes for urban riders, including designated lanes and vehicle-free paths. Chicago unveiled an ambitious Bike 2015 Plan, which outlines 150 strategies to make cycling 'an integral part of daily life' and reduce injuries by 50 percent. These initiatives should serve as models for other cities and towns interested in intelligent road design. Meanwhile, there are a few simple ways for cyclists in all riding environments to remain safe and undaunted.

So actually, CYCLISTS own his road, not him.

This is United Kingdom based site and has nothing to do with the law in America.