Meter boxes

dcfc67

My meter boxes are on the outside wall of my house. My gable end overhangs around 8 inches up to the boundary line so ever since the house was built 30 years ago i have to go onto next doors driveway to open the boxes and take a reading. Western Power or Cadent would also have to walk on their driveway if their was an issue with the meter or to deal with an emergency if i suffered a loss of the gas/ electricity supply.
The building department at the local council say i have rights to access next doors land as both houses were built by the same developer at the same time

My neighbour has recently submitted plans to the local council to build right up to the boundary line which will block in both meter boxes.

i complained to the planning department at the council and they basically said thats not grounds to refuse planning permission but if they do build it will be in breach of building regulations.

Ive spoken to Western Power and Cadent and they have concerns but won't act until they can physically see that the meters will be blocked in.

I have written to my neighbour who were not on speaking terms with warning him about his proposed plans and the law around building regulations but haven't received a reply.

I have heard from a neighbour that he now plans to build within 15 inches of the boxes. i feel that this space is too small between 2 brick walls for an engineer to open the box and do work or replace a meter. It will also be a tight space to open the box and take a reading.

Am i correct in believing that from a closed position a minimum of 3 ft 3 inches space is a minimum requirement and can this be upheld in a court of law.

Hasbeen

Have you went to the council site and looked at the plans yourself?
And there is this as well: https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

dcfc67

I had a copy sent to me has i live next door and spoke to someone from the council about this.
Planning don't seem to work with building control for some strange reason so plans get passed and unless the neighbour kicks up a fuss it bypasses building control. 

dogshome

A picture would be good - I get the impression that your meters in a corner of your house, with a wall projects forward from the wall on which the meters are mounted.

welshmoneylover

I think you would need to arrange to move the meters.
probably best solution all around; neighbour gets his extension and you get access to your meters.

welshmoneylover

Can we see a picture of the situation  now?

daveyjp

Planning merely states the development meets planning policies.

I could apply to build a house in my neighbour's garden as I don't need their permission to do so, but without their agreement I can't build it.  

Blocking access to read meters is a potential showstopper for the extension, but until it gets to the point of starting to build there isn't a lot OP can do.

welshmoneylover

If I was the OP I would be contacting the gas and electricity distribution team to get them moved before any problems arise. Sounds to me as if they were built in an awkward place especially as the OP has to go on their driveway to get the reads.

dcfc67

i have a detached house and next door is a pair of semi's. Their driveway is next to the side of my house and they propose to build up to the boundary line taking away their side access to their back garden and a car parking space

Alter_ego

Presumably they own the driveway? Does anybody have a right of way ?

C_Mababejive

could it be that if they build up close then the foundations will be built over the incoming gas service pipe?