"Unadopted" rear alley way?

KayTM

LOL! Don't worry. I hadn't planned to do it without first getting to know people and the lie of the land. I just like to think ahead, that's all. (Have to buy the house first!)

Good point about checking if there's any right of way when finding out about the ownership.

moneyistooshorttomention

Davesnave wrote: »

I think going in as a new resident and immediately attempting to form a committee would have you labelled as trouble right away!

The first law of entering a new community is, 'Don't upset the status quo, especially until you know who's who and what's what!'

For whatever reasons, residents have allowed the state of the footpath to become as it is now. For all you know, several of them may have suffered burglaries from this direction in the past. These were the feelings of some residents who used to live behind me, and they were referring to previous experiences elsewhere.

But if you move in and find that the rear access would be very useful, there's probably no need to do anything more drastic than take a walk down it in the early hours with a knapsack sprayer filled with glyphosate . That's what I used to do with ours. Cost about 50p a go, and no one suspected anything.

I think people might somehow - ie suspect if glyphosate is used. The plants suddenly turning yellowy and dying might just be a slight clue. Even in circumstances where you absolutely know weedkiller cant have been used (ie because its your own garden and you don't use it) you will realise what happened if you see that (voice of experience time:cool::mad::cool:). Yep....there are people that "cheeky"....

Other residents might be anti-weedkiller - and then you'd really be in the doghouse for using it near their properties.

What Dave said about existing residents feelings is a point - as There Is Always Someone (ie who thinks they are "more than equal" to you - even though they obviously aren't). Its entirely up to you how you deal with that scenario. Personally - I take the view that "If its mine its mine and only to do with me" and I think you would be best advised to just clear the bit outside the back of your own house and check out to see if there are any reactions one way or the other. Maybe people will get stuck into doing "their bit". Maybe they will make it very plain you aren't to do "their bit". You won't know until you try...

Davesnave

KayTM wrote: »

I suppose I could "just get in there and do it" - but it's not my land. I'm a bit reluctant to take on responsibility and expense to improve someone else's land if they might not agree to it.

I'm just a country bumpkin, but like other bumpkins around here, I cut a piece of grass verge 30metres long in front of my property.

If we didn't do this, we know very well that the owner, the council, wouldn't get around to cut it more than annually, if at all.

bouicca21

Rear access is a burglar's delight, that's why they often end up gated.

And tbh it wouldn't be overgrown if it were actually used on a regular basis, tramping feet would keep the weeds down. I'd leave it be until you need to use it.

DaftyDuck

If (and it is a HUGE IF) you can get co-operation from a group of residents, then sorting out a path like this can be a goldmine. Four houses in Cambridge (admittedly it is Cambridge....) co-operated to move the path from the house - garden border to the foot of the garden, shifted all the garden boundaries along by a chunk, and built a four-garage + four space block on what had been the first house's garden. Parking is at such a premium in that area, each house price has increased by nearly 60%.

However... in most cases, you are more likely to be met with bored apathy and disinterest, tending towards active disapproval at changing what has worked perfectly well since whenever....

However, approached well, you may get your way....

However....

Buy it & let us know!

KayTM

Hey, DaftyDuck!

My mind had already raced ahead to that possibility. Parking is very scarce - and quite expensive for residents' parking permits. I'd also thought that if a few people would give up (or sell) a few feet at the rear of their gardens, we could create lots more parking - and they could all build garages at the rear of their gardens if they want them. Plus there's the houses on the other side of the alley.

If - a big IF - I can do this, I'll be well-pleased. But it's not our forever home. We just need somewhere to make a base camp for the next few years. I'll not lose sleep if this grand plan doesn't work out.

moneyistooshorttomention

Wouldn't that "extra parking scenario" mean everyone would need to go along with it? In which case - its most unlikely to happen then....

I thought the idea was just for back access? - ie being able to use the back alley as a back alley?

KayTM

It would only take about three other people to agree, on one side or the other... and planning permission, presumably.

Yes, the basic idea is just to create rear access, but why not think bigger? People can only say "no". Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Do you remember an old TV programme called, "To Buy Or Not To Buy" (or some name like that)?

People would view a property and see a computer on a desk and say stuff like, "Oh, your computer could go there". No vision, no imagination. Just do what the previous occupants did.

I prefer to look at the space and the possibilities. I would put the kitchen in the loft if I thought it would be an improvement. I don't really plan to do that, I'm just saying that you can always look to see if you can make things better by changing them. Don't fix what ain't broke, but be open-minded to new possibilities. And stay optimistic and positive.

8-of-us

Have a look for a Sarah Beany programme called Streets Ahead.....

DaftyDuck

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Wouldn't that "extra parking scenario" mean everyone would need to go along with it? In which case - its most unlikely to happen then....

In a civilised area, where neighbours talk to each other, share routine maintenance of guttering and roofing, where tree surgery is booked co-operatively, neighbourhood watch flourishes, and there's harmony and peace... of course people cooperate when there is all-round advantage, and no disadvantage. I wasn't involved in the scheme (further along the street, and not needed), but I saw the before and after, and it's great. End house now has slightly smaller garden, but no longer on busy road, privacy, no longer has three neighbours traipsing past his kitchen window with bins, so garden is private & usable, and can build a tidy extension... neighbour 2 bumped along a little, private garden, no traffic from 2 neighbours, and so on. There's a row of four smart garages, set back just enough for four parking spaces as well, and it's all neat & tidy.

People getting on with the neighbours, mutual benefit, chatting, and all being willing to be flexible. I suspect the one on the end (who might appear to have lost most) has gained most, whilst No 4 (who appears to have lost least) has gained least. But, smiles all round, for now at least.