Best approach to dealing with possible problems with a proposed wall

ChrisBint

I have just bought a new property, moving in this weekend.

I am intending on building a small wall around the paved driveway area, within my boundaries. As a matter of courtesy, I do intend to at least mention it to my new neighbour before going ahead and building it.

I do have a concern however, and would like to understand the best, or at least a sensible approach. I was wondering if it is possible to obtain some kind of permission/confirmation from an authority that what I intend to do, from their point of view, is okay.

The link below shows 3 images;

https://imgur.com/a/nWQ32

Image 1 shows my property, with a blue line indicating where I would intend to put my wall. You can see something similar next door, but he has not built the wall that would adjoin my property on the side, only the front and other side.

Image 2 is the LR plans. To me, the tarmac and grass areas in front of both properties are not owned by either.

Image 3 highlights my real concern. If I do build the wall, on my boundaries, I will effectively cut off part of the tarmac that he may well driving over currently (which may mean he is driving on my block paving at a point!).

I am not really sure whether this is an issue, or who could basically say it's fine, go ahead.

Also, on my own side I may need to extend the tarmac to the right slightly, and reduce the length of the front wall to ensure that I can fit my own car in. I assume this would need to be done following an approval basis and assume the same could be done to next door. I am guessing this would be at my cost.

Any thoughts welcomed.

THanks

Ant555

I'll be honest and say that I don't think any of the points you raise are stumbling blocks.

I will effectively cut off part of the tarmac that he may well driving over currently (which may mean he is driving on my block paving at a point!).

I cant see how anything you describe would prevent your neighbour from accessing any tarmac - they might have to be more careful entering their drive but that's exactly what they have done to the house the other way.

It does look like you will be restricting the access to your own side gate if you build a chunky wall wholly on your side of the boundary - careful you can still get wheelie bin in/out. My first impression was that your neighbours block paving encroached on your land by a foot or so especially as the driveway on the other side seems to align with the house walls.

Apart from possibly being neighbourly, you don't have any responsibility for your neighbours access to his own driveway.

Also, on my own side I may need to extend the tarmac to the right slightly

If you mean the pavement then that's the council and not something you can legally do yourself - the pictures dont show the dropped kerb situation but is that ok?

ChrisBint

Ant555 wrote: »

I'll be honest and say that I don't think any of the points you raise are stumbling blocks.


I cant see how anything you describe would prevent your neighbour from accessing any tarmac - they might have to be more careful entering their drive but that's exactly what they have done to the house the other way.

It does look like you will be restricting the access to your own side gate if you build a chunky wall wholly on your side of the boundary - careful you can still get wheelie bin in/out. My first impression was that your neighbours block paving encroached on your land by a foot or so especially as the driveway on the other side seems to align with the house walls.

Apart from possibly being neighbourly, you don't have any responsibility for your neighbours access to his own driveway.


If you mean the pavement then that's the council and not something you can legally do yourself - the pictures dont show the dropped kerb situation but is that ok?

Thanks. My real concern was not to p*ss someone off.

The plan was to build up to about 1-1.5m away from where the gate is, to allow access to the that area

I agree that it does look like he is over a little, but the other side is similar although hidden by grass to some degree. I may measure the distance to confirm, not sure what I could do now even if it was out.

Kerbs look okay.

Furts

You cannot alter the tarmac to your drive entrance because this is Adopted Land outside your boundary. You would have to contact your local authority about works here. They may agree, with matters/procedures being similar to having a dropped kerb put in.

The grass and tarmac not aligning with the boundary on the right is logical. Originally a path would have come down the side of the house and started at this point. The misalign would be the width of the path. Viewed today the dimensions do not look correct, but who knows how wide that original path was (possibly 3 feet), or whether the boundary line between the homes has "moved" over the years.