Stupid mistake - no side or rear access

Rosa_Damascena

I am finally getting my head round the fact that I have made a really stupid mistake when I undertook my big renovation project last year, and that is to all intents and purposes turning my home into a terrace in swallowing up the side access. So although spacious and with 3 sets of double doors (one at the front and 2 on the back of the property) I am now wondering how I am going to manage with this arrangement long-term.

Its not generally going to be a problem as long as I can keep on top of the garden, as debris can come through the house, but the recent stormy weather has made me think about a huge cedar tree at the very rear of my property. It must be more than 100 years old and although is standing proud, to my knowledge it has never been maintained. I'm now wondering how I will go about doing so, esp if it ever threatens to keel over. There is no rear access as the land behind is not mine and houses a physical hazard, and I cannot say that my neighbours would be happy to let an industrial machine through their garden to access mine for this or any other purpose. 

Every time I go for a walk locally, and have yet to see a house with no side or rear access. Practically, how do people manage?

theoretica

Much tree maintenance is done by people and ropes - if you can carry a long ladder through the house (for windows too) you should be fine.

Rosa_Damascena

theoretica said:

Much tree maintenance is done by people and ropes - if you can carry a long ladder through the house (for windows too) you should be fine.

This is a very big tree - think crane and industrial chipper territory! 

Section62

Rosa_Damascena said:

theoretica said:

Much tree maintenance is done by people and ropes - if you can carry a long ladder through the house (for windows too) you should be fine.

This is a very big tree - think crane and industrial chipper territory! 

The cutting will still be done by people on ropes though, and the cut off material lowered to the ground on more ropes if it is too large (or dangerous) to just let it fall.  Then it is a case of cutting the bits into smaller bits that can be carried out to the road.

More of an issue (possibly) is having a ~100 year old cedar.  They are usually deemed to have high amenity value, so if it doesn't already have a TPO then someone may want to get it TPO'd if they get wind of any plans you have to do significant work on it.

Keep_pedalling

If it really is a 100 year old cedar species (Cedra) then, you have plenty of time as they are long lived trees, some are believed to be 1000 years old.

TELLIT01

theoretica said:

Much tree maintenance is done by people and ropes - if you can carry a long ladder through the house (for windows too) you should be fine.

I think you are missing the point.  The problem isn't simply getting a ladder into the garden.  It's the removal of a massive tree if the need arises.  If it has to be man handled through the house it would have to be cut into very small pieces.  The tree was given as an example, but all garden waste will now have to be brought through the house.

@Rosa_Damascena the problem you describe isn't as rare as you might think.  Our neighbour's son purchased a house which had been extended sideways with an attached double garage which filled the plot, so no side access.  It wasn't a problem as a garage as it had a rear door to the garden.  Their son decided to convert the garage into living space, removed the garage door and installed windows and patio doors to the rear.  When he was talking to the about his plans they raised the question of access to/from the garden and he ignored them.  He's done nothing to moan about the problem ever since. 

If you are on good terms with your neighbours they may actually be OK with granting occasional access via their gardens.

Section62

TELLIT01 said:

theoretica said:

Much tree maintenance is done by people and ropes - if you can carry a long ladder through the house (for windows too) you should be fine.

I think you are missing the point.  The problem isn't simply getting a ladder into the garden.  It's the removal of a massive tree if the need arises.  If it has to be man handled through the house it would have to be cut into very small pieces.  The tree was given as an example, but all garden waste will now have to be brought through the house.

But as per my post, this isn't the problem it appears to be.  There's no expectation of taking large equipment into the back gardens of domestic properties. The chipper stays with the lorry because the chipped material goes straight into the back of it.  There's no need for a crane or other heavy lifting plant because the tree will be cut into manageable pieces.  It may cost a bit more to dismantle a tree with difficult access compared to one which is by a roadside, but this is bread and butter work for tree surgeons.

Taking all garden waste through the house (plus new plants and materials going the other way) is a PITA, but RD seems OK about that aspect, it was the potential need to do work on the tree which was causing concern.

FreeBear

TELLIT01 said: @Rosa_Damascena the problem you describe isn't as rare as you might think.  Our neighbour's son purchased a house which had been extended sideways with an attached double garage which filled the plot, so no side access.  It wasn't a problem as a garage as it had a rear door to the garden.  Their son decided to convert the garage into living space, removed the garage door and installed windows and patio doors to the rear.  When he was talking to the about his plans they raised the question of access to/from the garden and he ignored them.  He's done nothing to moan about the problem ever since. 

If you are on good terms with your neighbours they may actually be OK with granting occasional access via their gardens.

My immediate neighbour has has done a very similar thing. Garage built right to the edge of the boundary and now converted for other uses. Even before the conversion, access from the rear was through a single door, so limiting the size of stuff that could be dragged through.

A gate has been installed in the fence to allow occasional access from my side. Still restricted on the size of equipment that can be brought in..

Andy_L

Put it on freecycle & someone may want to come & cut it up for logs

Rosa_Damascena

FreeBear said:

TELLIT01 said: @Rosa_Damascena the problem you describe isn't as rare as you might think.  Our neighbour's son purchased a house which had been extended sideways with an attached double garage which filled the plot, so no side access.  It wasn't a problem as a garage as it had a rear door to the garden.  Their son decided to convert the garage into living space, removed the garage door and installed windows and patio doors to the rear.  When he was talking to the about his plans they raised the question of access to/from the garden and he ignored them.  He's done nothing to moan about the problem ever since. 

If you are on good terms with your neighbours they may actually be OK with granting occasional access via their gardens.

My immediate neighbour has has done a very similar thing. Garage built right to the edge of the boundary and now converted for other uses. Even before the conversion, access from the rear was through a single door, so limiting the size of stuff that could be dragged through.

A gate has been installed in the fence to allow occasional access from my side. Still restricted on the size of equipment that can be brought in..

I like this idea, thank you! Its a practical solution given that its my responsibility to maintain that side of the fence.

Rosa_Damascena

Andy_L said:

Put it on freecycle & someone may want to come & cut it up for logs

This issue is logistics - ie getting the debris through the house / over the single storey section without causing damage and minimal disruption to me myself and my home. I really don't want a stranger come through my home with an axe!