Smokers outside the house

KLB

Hi all,
I just wanted to put my situation out there to see what the general consensus is, I suspect I might come under fire from some for having a nimby attitude, fair enough if that is the general consensus I will take note.
Basically, I live on an end of terrace with a school next door. Since the smoking ban came into effect, the teachers of the school have to smoke outside the school grounds and do so either in front of or beside my house.
At the time I complained to the school, I don't have double glazing, could hear every word they said and the language of the teachers at 8am in the morning is way worse than any I heard from the kids! After complaining, the head asked the teachers to smoke away from the house, which they now do most of the time and I'm ok with things as they are now.
However, recently the school has decided to open at the weekends, they have a swimming pool for parents and toddlers and also an English language teaching day for Russians. What I'm not happy with now are people standing outside or beside my house smoking most of the weekend. I can hear them from anywhere in the front of the house and it's very distracting. I am also thinking of putting my house up for sale next year and I wonder if it will affect my asking price, if people come to view the house and there are people standing around outside smoking, it doesn't look good.
I wonder if I can ask the school to provide an outdoor smoking area within the school grounds? Or (last resort) complain to the council? Obviously these people are members of the public and its a public street, they can stand wherever they like so the school can't ask them to move away the way they could with the teachers.
Am I being over the top? It might not sound like a big deal but it used to be very quiet here at weekends and was always something I loved. Now, there are kids out the back all day and smokers out the front. For me it's changed how I feel about my home.
Thanks.

charlotte99

I'm an occasional smoker and I dont' think your being a Nimby in this case. I don;t think there is much you can do about noise from the kids, that's life I think when you live by a school....I went to look at a house last time I was buying, when I saw the school next door I didn;t even bother going inside....definitely not for me.

Personally I would ask for a proper meeting with the head, face to face works better than letters first time and put your case re nuisance,noise, cursing, health risks and perception of buyers and ask for a smoking area to be installed and for some signs to be put up. I feel they should try to oblige in this case. (if they are allowed to...which they might not be). I was wondering where they are putting the butts because I believe now it's a littering offence to stub them out on the pavement or road, so has the school covered this ?, these people are their customers after all. You can only ask ...assume it's a government school and they are constantly nannying us to keep healthy so maybe they shouldn't be promoting smoking so obviously in public (well not promoting but if there are kids there it's probably not good for them to see teachers and parents puffing away .

almillar

Firstly, get double glazing! It'll reduce your heating bills, your house will be more sellable, and you'll hear less - sounds like a good investment.
Secondly, I don't think there's anything the school is obliged to do. They're certainly not obliged to provide smoking facilities. The unsympathetic answer is that if you don't want people smoking outside your living room, get a front garden. But much better to speak to the school nicely, maybe there's somewhere in the grounds they can designate?

KLB

Thank you, yes the noise from the kids is never something that's really bothered me, only now its at the weekend too it can be a pain.
They have provided a small cig bin which most do use, but plenty don't.
The best I can do is talk to the head nicely and see what they think about it. Honestly I can't believe how much time some of them spend outside, if you add it up I think some of them get over an hour off for smoking!

almillar - wish I could afford double glazing! It would make all the difference in lots of ways!

jbainbridge

I think you should keep complaining to the school. Make an appointment to see the Head. Failing that ... speak to your councillor.

They don't want smoking on their property ... now the're smoking outside yours. It does seem a bit unfair.

anotherbaldrick

Why not draw it to the Councils attention ? If the area they are dropping fag ends on is adopted highway (includes pavement) the anti-litter act could get them a fine.
http://www.litteraction.org.uk/infocentre/abatement-orders?gclid=CKTjtIrt2rECFUYNfAodPUkAlg

cyclonebri1

Move??? next door to a school hosts a multitude of issues,

Valli

Our County council forbids smoking (and did before the ban) on ANY part of the property, inside or outside.
So the school push it off their property and it affects you.
Go with anotherbaldrick's idea

Ben84

There are few sites like schools and hospitals who cannot afford some space for smoking areas. They usually provide the best compromise really as they provide somewhere for people to smoke that is agreed to not adversely affect other people with the smell or litter, as well as presenting the site as a good host to its visitors and reducing the time people spend going between work and cigarette breaks. However, most sites I've encountered who ban smoking entirely tend to have some overly officious and unrealistic approach to the matter based around personal dislikes of smoking, so you might be lucky to get them to see any sense on the matter.

robatwork

better than being outside the hospital doors

dacouch

I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house
I must not smoke next to the OP's house