Neighbour seems to of 'stolen' some public land

longwalks1

one of the neighbours a few doors down has recently replaced their back fence and it looks as though they've moved their boundary line out further by about 2 metres. The area they've 'borrowed land' from is a public unmade footpath, joining 2 estates. It now makes walking the dog or pushing the buggy though there almost impossible, due to the bottle neck that's been created.


Is there anyway of checking if this was done legally?

bris

Yes, contact the councils planning dept and explain the situation.

Davesnave

As bris says, it's something the local authority will check on and apply enforcement to if there is no legal basis for the change, especially if people are being inconvenienced on a planned-in footway.


Many councils now have on-line forms where people may report anything they think is a breach of planning law. See if yours does.

Ectophile

Many councils have a rights of way officer. It might be at the borough or county level if you're not in a unitary authority area.


If yours has one, you could contact them. It's an offence to block a public right of way.

longwalks1

Not wanting to rock the boat as we live in the same road I submitted a query anonymously but was told unless I give them my full name, address and phone numbers the council won’t look into it?

Aylesbury_Duck

That’s fair. It’s not Crimestoppers. They’d be swamped with malicious complaints from meddlers otherwise.

Fire_Fox

You will be "rocking the boat" by reporting the issue.

The council officer should not reveal your details to your neighbour without your consent. State in your e-mail that you want your details to be withheld.

Davesnave

I don't think you'd be 'rocking the boat at all,' just restoring it's equilibrium.


The council must safeguard your anonymity, whether you ask for it or not. To do otherwise would breach their duty of confidentiality, and dissuade others from volunteering the info they rely upon for much enforcement nowadays.

stator

You could always download the title plan from the land registry for £3 and check where their boundary really should be

Jackmydad

Davesnave wrote: »

I don't think you'd be 'rocking the boat at all,' just restoring it's equilibrium.


The council must safeguard your anonymity, whether you ask for it or not. To do otherwise would breach their duty of confidentiality, and dissuade others from volunteering the info they rely upon for much enforcement nowadays.

They must. . .but don't put any bets on it that they will.
I know of at least one actual case where names were named by the council over a neighbour dispute.
And that's (as always) assuming that the person being complained about doesn't have a contact in the council or whatever.

Ms_Chocaholic

Could you put pen to paper and inform them anonymously that way.