Local councils confidentilality when dealing with a complaint.

gibson1

So recently a neighbor decided to build a raised platform in his garden, as he's down slope form me, he can now look over a 2 meter fence into my living room.

Kind of ridiculous really, he had a nice tree giving him privacy but had the tree removed and raised a platform in its place, about 5 feet from the ground. Now the whole neighborhood can see him and his family, and he can sit there looking into everybody's gardens.

I sent an email to the council asking for them to have a look into it, they asked for photos which I gave. I then decided to let it go, and just put a hedge up next year.

Wrote back to planning enforcement and told them to forget about it, I'll just put a hedge up.
However, they replied that they are going to pursue it as an enforcement case. I responded that I don't wish to make a complaint and as I have an elderly parent living with me I'm concerned about my details, including the photos I emailed, getting back to the neighbors.

I was under the impression that they would inform me of my options before going ahead and making an investigation. They seemed to have jumped right into it.

My main concern is a reprisal to my family from an angry neighbor, and the council so far haven't been very forthcoming with reassuring me about confidentiality.

Any one who's had experience with this and wishes to share, that would be much appreciated.

POPPYOSCAR

Councils do not act on your behalf they act for themselves.

gibson1

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Councils do not act on your behalf they act for themselves.

And they take our money to do so...

Doozergirl

A breach of planning is a breach of planning. It doesn't matter whether you mind or not. If they feel it needs enforcement action, they will enforce.

It's a bit harsh to ask someone to do their job then complain that they're doing it!

I do believe that they maintain confidentiality.

Franz_Ferdinand

You pointed out what is no doubt a beach of planning to the relevant authority and expected them to do what?

When the point out the issues with the deck. i.e. You can see into that living room over there and point it out to him. It won't take Sherlock Holmes to work out who's complained.

gibson1

Well cheers Franz. If you look at what I wrote, he can see all of the neighbors. Im not the only neighbor.

Franz_Ferdinand

gibson1 wrote: »

Well cheers Franz. If you look at what I wrote, he can see all of the neighbors. Im not the only neighbor.

He'll find out don't worry.

gibson1

Franz_Ferdinand wrote: »

He'll find out don't worry.

Wow, thanks again Franz you've been so helpful. Always a delight to come online and know that there are people like you in this world.

Don't forget to have the last say now.

McKneff

Franz, just shut up.

Franz_Ferdinand

gibson1 wrote: »

Wow, thanks again Franz you've been so helpful. Always a delight to come online and know that there are people like you in this world.

Don't forget to have the last say now.

You still haven't answered what you expected to happen when you grassed him up. :rotfl:

Gloomendoom

gibson1 wrote: »

Kind of ridiculous really, he had a nice tree giving him privacy but had the tree removed and raised a platform in its place, about 5 feet from the ground. Now the whole neighborhood can see him and his family, and he can sit there looking into everybody's gardens..

Not everybody is obsessed with privacy. As far as gardens go, it seems to be a fairly modern phenomenon.