Neighbour's parasol

Basic_Wizard

My neighbour has recently errected an enormous parasol in their back garden.
Size wise it is approx 20ft x 20ft and when opened fully it's height is at least 5ft higher (in the centre) than the fence that separates us, covering probably 75% of their garden.

A part from it being an eyesore, the bit that bothers me most is it obscures the last 3 hours of sun in the early evening. Working full time means that sometimes that's the only bit of sun we get in the day, so it feels very inconsiderate.

I'm reluctant to go round because I do not want to initate any bad feeling, particularly as we hope to move house soon and any major dispute might mean we would have to notify prospective buyers.

So here are my questions that i'd be interested in your views on:
- Is it legal to erect something that significant a size within a residential area e.g. is planning permission required?
- What rights do I have, is it simply a call to the council and take it from there

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or contributions.

Barny1979

Temporary feature, so doubt planning would be involved, but call them and ask for advice. I thought neighbourhood disputes don't need to be referred to now, as the homeowner packs don't exist.

bris

It's in their garden so yes they can erect a parasol, you won't get anywhere with this legally.

tacpot12

They probably don't realise that their parasol has had this effect on your garden. I would go around and ask them if you are okay to pop round on evenings when you are home and want sun in your garden, and ask them to lower it. If you don't take offence if they refuse, then there is no dispute to report when you come to sell your house.

PasturesNew

Feed the birds on that side of the garden. Ensure there's a lot of food, they'll all get to know about it and land on the fence to eat.... then fly and poop. Neighbours will get upset at their parasol being pooped on so much .... and not bother with it.

If you can hide the fact you're feeding the birds, all the better, as they can't then ask you not to do it

Basic_Wizard

Thanks for your speedy responses!

While it is arguably a temporary structure, they have had it cemented into the middle of their garden due to it's size and weight. I'd be interested to find out how temporary it will be i.e. whether it is dismantled after the summer, it is essentially like a flagpole when it is folded down.

It's interesting to hear that neighbour disputes may no longer need to be reported and the guidance on the reporting process is valuable too.

As they have also recently cut down branches from our tree (on our side, without discussion and leaving the branches for us to pick up), the thought had crossed my mind about getting some nice bird feeders out :-).

Thank you!

PasturesNew

Basic_Wizard wrote: »

...the thought had crossed my mind about getting some nice bird feeders out :-).

Thank you!

Guerilla Revenge is the best sort.

Another one might be that until you arrive home you could have a hidden jar of something that attracts wasps... maybe an old jar of jam. I don't know if that works at all.... although poop on the canvas is more upsetting than a few occasional wasps buzzing round. Nowt worse than poop on your parasol!

Mojisola

Barny1979 wrote: »

I thought neighbourhood disputes don't need to be referred to now, as the homeowner packs don't exist.

I don't think this is right.

antrobus

Basic_Wizard wrote: »

....
It's interesting to hear that neighbour disputes may no longer need to be reported and the guidance on the reporting process is valuable too.....

You have been misinformed.

Disputes have to be disclosed on the Seller’s Property Information Form.

FreeBear

Wait until the winds start blowing - Anything good for kite flying will see it up in the air and gone. If it up in the last few months of the year, the winter winds will finish it off.

Savvy_Sue

PasturesNew wrote: »

Guerilla Revenge is the best sort.

Another one might be that until you arrive home you could have a hidden jar of something that attracts wasps... maybe an old jar of jam. I don't know if that works at all....

An unwashed empty jam jar with a little water in it is a good wasp trap, but it does attract them, so may work well!