Neighbour has taken over public alleyway

Norman_Castle

Its possible its a private right of way owned equally by all properties which all can use to access their properties but shouldn't be blocked or fenced off. Is it mentioned in the properties deeds?

xylophone

private right of way

If it connects two public roads it may be a public right of way in which case it should not be obstructed.

He has also attached some car repair machinery (sounds like a compressor) onto her brick garage wall (on the alleyway side)

Surely illegal?

In this lady's position I'd have taken photographs and sent them with a letter of complaint to the council as soon as it became obvious what was going on.

evoke

Thanks all. I've got the number for the planning department of the local council so will call them later today to see if they can help. A slight complication is that my relative is a disabled pensioner and is frightened of the two men who have taken over the alleyway.

xylophone

A slight complication is that my relative is a disabled pensioner and is frightened of the two men who have taken over the alleyway.

There is no reason why you should not mention to the council that your relative is elderly, disabled and made anxious by the situation.

aussie_in_wales

If they are operating a car repair business the Environment Agency in England Natural Resources Wales in Wales or SEPA in Scotland could also be interested them operating without a Permit

m0bov

Take photos, contact Enviro Health and planning. Also contact your councillor, they can expiated the issues.

xylophone

expiated the issues.

Up to the offenders I'd have thought..:)

But he might expedite action!

snilloct1957

Were you able to resolve this matter for your relative?

ProDave

If it turns out it is a public right of way, find your local ramblers, I am sure they will delight in enforcing their right to use that right of way.

bouicca21

How old are the houses? In the 1930s alleyways were more or less mandatory for access for rubbish collection - you know in the days when they actually came on to your property for the bins - or coal deliveries.

If it’s one of those then likely to be a ROW. But such alleys are often seen as enabling access for burglars nowadays and the police tend to advise to block them with a gate. Presumably the neighbour is planning on adverse possession?

Surely he shouldn’t be attaching anything to someone else’s wall and can be required to move it.