New build - garden sloping, not sure of rights?

Davesnave

buel10 said:

Interesting find here....

NHBC-STANDARDS-GARDENS-pdf
https://www.newbuildinspections.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/chapter-9-2.-NHBC-STANDARDS-GARDENS-pdf.pdf
GARDEN AREAS 9.2 - D4 Garden areas shall be stable Items to be taken into account include: (a) slopes Unless the stability of new or existing slopes has been determined by an Engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5 the following maximum gradients apply: • unsupported granular soil should be 5° less than its natural angle of repose • unsupported cohesive soil should not exceed 9° (1:6). (b) retaining structures Where it is necessary to provide retaining structures to ensure the stability of the ground they should be designed in accordance with Clause D3.

To this layperson, this looks like it helps me?

So, to save the rest of us digging into the NHBC standards, what does Clause D say?

Always bear in mind that the NHBC and similar bodies are funded by the industry. They write some wonderful-sounding stuff, but when the SHTF they remember where their money comes from.

I found this with a trade body for glass and glazing. They were as useful to me as the proverbial chocolate tea pot when I needed arbitration. Because they knew I'd win, my case was deemed 'unsuitable,' with no further explanation. Mind you, I took that as a good sign and left their member £5.5k short. Then, everyone was happy. The glazing company got away with shoddy service and still broke even, the trade body saved an embarrassing situation and I saved the money I didn't pay!

buel10

Davesnave said:

buel10 said:

Interesting find here....

NHBC-STANDARDS-GARDENS-pdf
https://www.newbuildinspections.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/chapter-9-2.-NHBC-STANDARDS-GARDENS-pdf.pdf
GARDEN AREAS 9.2 - D4 Garden areas shall be stable Items to be taken into account include: (a) slopes Unless the stability of new or existing slopes has been determined by an Engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5 the following maximum gradients apply: • unsupported granular soil should be 5° less than its natural angle of repose • unsupported cohesive soil should not exceed 9° (1:6). (b) retaining structures Where it is necessary to provide retaining structures to ensure the stability of the ground they should be designed in accordance with Clause D3.

To this layperson, this looks like it helps me?

So, to save the rest of us digging into the NHBC standards, what does Clause D say?

Always bear in mind that the NHBC and similar bodies are funded by the industry. They write some wonderful-sounding stuff, but when the SHTF they remember where their money comes from.

I found this with a trade body for glass and glazing. They were as useful to me as the proverbial chocolate tea pot when I needed arbitration. Because they knew I'd win, my case was deemed 'unsuitable,' with no further explanation. Mind you, I took that as a good sign and left their member £5.5k short. Then, everyone was happy. The glazing company got away with shoddy service and still broke even, the trade body saved an embarrassing situation and I saved the money I didn't pay!

Gosh, sorry, I didn't add the clause. It is here:
FREESTANDING WALLS AND RETAINING STRUCTURES 9.2 -
D3 Where provided, freestanding walls and retaining structures shall be adequate for their intended purpose Items to be taken into account include: (a) design Freestanding walls should be designed in accordance with: BS 5628 Code of practice for use of masonry, or BRE Good Building Guide 14. All retaining structures, more than 600mm high, should be designed by an Engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5. Gabion and crib structures should not be used to provide support to homes, garages, roads, drives, car parking areas and drainage systems. Retaining structures should be designed in accordance with: BS 5930 Code of practice for site investigations, and BS 8110 Structural use of concrete, or BS 5628 Code of practice for use of masonry.
Where appropriate, brickwork and blockwork retaining walls may be designed in accordance with BRE Good Building Guide 27. (b) guarding Guarding should be provided where structures are retaining land more than 600mm high to which people have access. Where steps and guarding are provided they should be designed in accordance with Sitework clause 9.2 - S7. (c) planters Where planters are provided they should be designed to adequately support the volume of retained soil and the plant species

Also, LOVE the window company story - brilliant!!