Neighbour has taken over public alleyway

evoke

I'm asking this on behalf of a relative and I hope it's in the right section.

My relative's and her neighbour's houses are separated by an alleyway that connects several back gardens and exits onto another road (so it also connects two roads).

The alleyway is not a shared drive.

Her neighbour has blocked the alleyway with wooden panels, extended his rear garden to occupy the width of the alleyway, and has parked cars along it, turning it into a car repair workshop. He has also attached some car repair machinery (sounds like a compressor) onto her brick garage wall (on the alleyway side) so she hears buzzing and high-pitched noises from morning to night through her garage wall.

We have obtained the land registry details for both properties and the alleyway is not within the boundary of either property.

What's the best way to get this issue fixed and for the alleyway to be restored for public access? She will need access to her garage side wall on the alleyway side for some maintenance work soon as there is damp rising on that side.

Cakeguts

If it not within the boundary of either property, who does own it? Is it the local council?

lincroft1710

Report it to the local council planning dept for unapproved and inappropriate business use in a residential area.

evoke

Not sure who owns it. It was neglected for many years so I guess the neighbour thought that he'd take some of it.

HampshireH

The local council will tell you if its theirs. You may even be able to find the maps of their ownership online.

snilloct1957

Does the neighbour own the property or rent it? Maybe his landlord could have a word (or have a strong opinion about how his house is being used/abused?) A quick email to the Land Registry and £4 for a search could shed some light on the subject.

sheramber

He needs planning permission to run a business repairing cars at his house. Contact the council.

evoke

The neighbour's property is owned by the mother of the sons. It's the sons who have taken over the public alleyway.

Cakeguts

evoke wrote: »

The neighbour's property is owned by the mother of the sons. It's the sons who have taken over the public alleyway.

The council will serve the notice to stop running the business on the property owner because they have allowed it.

snilloct1957

Contact the local council about the noise from his machine. Your relative may have a complaint under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 re the noise pollution and the hazardous waste (engine oil and the like) generated by his illegal business.

G_M

If you can resolve the matter amicably by discussing your concerns, that is always by far the best way with neighbour disputes.


But the extent of the problem suggests perhaps the neighbour will not be open to that!


Next best, is to get 'officialdom' involved, so as to keep yourself out. The 'unauthorised business use' route .......


Finally, you could take legal action. Slow, costly, stressful and guaranted to make neighbour relations a nighmare, but probably a good chance of ultimate success.