Ball Games in my garden.

Gaz43

Hi All 
First time poster here looking for advice on a issue that’s only occurred this week. 

Last summer we installed a sports court in the back of our garden with the intention of providing a safe area for our 2 children (7 and 4) to play sport, games, ride scooters etc. We live on a very steep hill and the nearest park in a few miles away so outside play is limited to our garden, which thankfully is flat. 

Our kids favourite game is basketball and last summer we had no complaints at all from neighbours either side of our house while practicing dribbling and shooting. 

However, since schools closed and the national isolation is in place I take the kids outside twice a day to play basketball, football and general play. These session last about an hour to and hour and a half around 10am and again about 4pm. 

Last night we received an email from the local community leader calling us out complaining about the ball bouncing, stating it’s intrusive and he feels sorry for our neighbours and asking for other locals to get in contact so that he can go to the council to complain. 

Bearing in mind this gentleman doesn’t live next to us but about 5 houses up.
We replied privately to the email suggesting a private conversation, even though he has made the issue public in the first instance. 

But before this happens Is there any laws about ball games in garden and where do I stand in regards to allowing my kids to play in the safety of their own home boundaries I understand the noise of balls bouncing could be frustrating but it’s for a limited time and its in our own garden and with the times or 8am and 10pm. 

We feel a little trapped now and unable to enjoy our garden in the pleasant weather we have had recently. 

Any advice would massively helpful

Thanks in advance.   

stragglebod

It's not true that you can do anything in your own garden - there's usually a story every summer about somebody getting sent to jail for playing Whitney too loud, for example - but no council would give a monkeys about kids playing basketball in their garden at the best of times, and especially not now.

Grenage

In your position, screw them.  The onus is on them to prove that the noise is unacceptable, not on you to defend.  Crack on and enjoy your garden and deal with any council complaint if and when it arrives.

The neighbour's have had their grandchildren round since the schools closed.  They make a bit of a racket but that's kids - that's life.

TheCyclingProgrammer

I feel for your neighbours - by all means enjoy your garden and play sports but a bouncing basketball day in day out would drive me mad - you say you're feeling trapped, instead of worrying about the legalities, you could just try having a bit of consideration for your neighbours - most of us are trapped at home at the moment, many of us are trying to work from home and we are going to be in this position for who knows how long.

Maybe stick to basketball on the weekend when people are less likely to be trying to work and play something less intrusive during the week.

Brackenfield

Most of us are stuck at home at the moment and most of us have double glazing and headphones....  

I think carry on as you are, seems like a sensible timetable.  Dont try to shush your kids , it becomes a source of huge stress for you all and gives the person complaining the idea they are 'right'.  Been there, done that.

gt568

!!!!!! is a "local community leader"?

SootySweep1

Hi
Any chance you can have a casual word with your neighbours to find out if the ball bouncing noise is distressing them ?
I personally think gardens are for playing in & I don't object to hearing children playing. I also remember neighbours saying it was nice to hear children our playing !
However other people's tolerance levels are different & so if it is causing distress then you may be able to easily resolve with timings etc.
Saying all that I don't think the council etc would be in the slightest bit interested so I'm only suggesting having a word to prevent any bad feelings between neighbours.
Jen

Jonesya

Gaz43 said:

However, since schools closed and the national isolation is in place I take the kids outside twice a day to play basketball, football and general play. These session last about an hour to and hour and a half around 10am and again about 4pm. 

That sounds ok, most people are up by 10AM and 4PM isn't late, it's during the day. If you're playing in the garden and it's not crashing against the fence or neighbour's walls, sounds reasonable.

But then you write the below, about being out between 8AM and 10PM and that doesn't sound very reasonable, 8AM is a bit early really as some people get up later or have a lie in. Many people like to settle in and relax in the evening and being out making a load of noise regularly after around 7PM or 8PM seems rather unreasonable. 

Gaz43 said:

I understand the noise of balls bouncing could be frustrating but it’s for a limited time and its in our own garden and with the times or 8am and 10pm.  

RelievedSheff

While I can see your point that you are in your own garden you do have to appreciate that everyone is currently in the confines of their own properties as well.

I was trying to have a conference call for work yesterday in our kitchen where I am currently working from home and the noise from the children over the road who were out playing in the street in front of our kitchen window was unbearable. 

I think we all need to have a bit of give and take in these unprecedented times and perhaps you need to find some other way of entertaining the kids some of the time and realise that a bouncing ball for a few hours every day is going to be an annoyance to your neighbours. 

RelievedSheff

I think the answer to the problem has just been found. With that attitude it is no wonder your neighbours are complaining!

Do all of your neighbours a favour and sit back and look at it from their prospective instead.

Jackmydad

Everyone expects children to play, and make a certain amount of noise but on the other hand, ball bouncing "Thud, thud, thud" at regular times, every day, could get to be a sort of torture.
How about varying the activities a bit?
Seems to me that whoever has complained, has probably complained to the "community leader" (whatever that is) to sort.
Maybe more than one person has complained.
As already said, I think you need to look at it from other people's perspective.