Neighbours' Builders Rubble

mickeyg14

My neighbour (semi detached, attached side) is having an extension built. 

The builders have just tipped the waste and rubble (from internal wall and plaster removal) out of the back of the rear extension rather than having it removed gradually. There is now a mound about 5 feet high across the back. Presumably they will try and remove it in one go. There is no access to their back garden apart from removing a fence panel and using a public footpath (and dismantling cycle barriers) down the side of the house (or through the house). 

I’m concerned about rodents and pests loving this debris. Are there any regulations or guidelines about the storage and removal of this kind of waste? So far I’ve refrained from contacting the council but it's just getting worse.   

Neighbours are living elsewhere and are no longer communicating aafter a number of problems. Most around the fact they don’t communicate just do (like taking down the fence and erecting scaffolding on my side without any notice)

Apodemus

I don't think even "rodents and pests" could love that debris!

Seriously, though, don't 'phone the Council.   They would only tell you that, since work is still in progress, you have to assume that they have a plan.  At present, how that plan works is your neighbour's problem and not yours.

EssexExile

As long as it's in their garden it is really nothing to complain about.

tacpot12

I agree that the rubble isn't likely to encourage rodents and mice. They need a source of food to encourage them, and there shouldn't be any in the rubble.

There aren't any regulations about storing this sort of waste if there are no hazardous chemicals in with it. It is inert waste, your neighbours can keep it for as long as they like. 

There are regulations about removing such waste. It has to be disposed of properly, and that means using a registered waste carrier. I think it likely that the builders will move all the waste to a skip parked on the road for 24 hours at the end of the job, and remove a fence panel and use wheelbarrows to move it to the skip, then it will be gone. It's your neighbour's responsiblity to dispose of the waste properly.

FreeBear

Apodemus said: At present, how that plan works is your neighbour's problem and not yours.

Agreed, although unsightly, the mound of rubble isn't your problem. Highly unlikely that there is any food waste mixed in, so it isn't going to attract vermin.

mickeyg14

Thanks for the responses and the sense check. 

Lots of the rubbish is blowing off into my garden but nothing to get too frustrated by.  As they brought material in by dumper truck and a small digger in, down the public footpath, and started excavting the foundations at 7.30am on a Sunday I'm just preparing myself for a repeat performance and wishing they'd taken the rubble out as they went. 

diystarter7

Some very harsh comments here.
OP, like most, was only seeking help/advice.
OP has a point but as many said, there is not a lot they can do ATM

I can see the OP's concerns re rodents/etc and I have to agree. Sadly, nothing can be
done at this stage other than to speak with them and ask when it is being moved because of
genuine concerns. However, it does not take a lot to tip neighbors over the edge at times, especially if under stress.

See how it goes OP as falling out with next door can be a lifelong thing.

Section62

mickeyg14 said:

Audacity??  Strange response.  Just seeking feedback.  And yes, that's exactly what the builders opposite are doing.  Taking the rubbish out through the house and having regular skip collections.  That to me would seem a normal action.  And of course construction affects neighbours that's why there are plenty of guidelines.  

I think you are being quite reasonable and proportionate.

It might be worth checking the planning consent for the work to see if there was anything in that regarding the storage and removal of building waste - there often is.

If you aren't seeking to preserve a good relationship with your neighbours and their builders then you might want to consider whether the situation is bad enough that it is worth bringing to the attention of the HSE.  Some of the work done would/will have involved working at height, and it isn't immediately obvious how that was done safely with the amount of debris piled up.  They may be entitled to store waste on the site while they are working, but that doesn't negate the need for safe working practices - e.g. workers not having to clamber over piles of rubbish to do their job. Trips, slips and falls are a major cause of site injuries.  It may be too low level for the HSE to investigate, but if the trader has a history of issues they could get a friendly call from the HSE to make sure they understand the need for safe working methods.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Leon_W

It's worth checking with your local council about noise on a Sunday though.

Unfortunately it does vary across the country and guidelines can usually be found on your council website. Some allow it, some don't. Depends where you live.

mickeyg14

Leon_W said:

It's worth checking with your local council about noise on a Sunday though.

Unfortunately it does vary across the country and guidelines can usually be found on your council website. Some allow it, some don't. Depends where you live.

Yes noise/contructed is restricted at weekends here (sundays no work).  I've spoken to the owners and the builders about the working hours before.  Its frustrating because they can not work some days during the week and then this weekend Saturday and Sunday 7.45 am to 3.30pm.  I'd even tried to compromise by saying if its essential work can you give me notice so I can prepare and/or be somewhere else but they just ignored my request.  I wanted to avoid being the neighbour who talks to the council.  The build has been 8 months so far.  

TELLIT01

mickeyg14 said:

Thanks for the responses and the sense check. 

Lots of the rubbish is blowing off into my garden but nothing to get too frustrated by.  As they brought material in by dumper truck and a small digger in, down the public footpath, and started excavting the foundations at 7.30am on a Sunday I'm just preparing myself for a repeat performance and wishing they'd taken the rubble out as they went. 

Is the route used to bring the dumper truck and excavator in still available, or is it now occupied by the extension? 

They may well be planning to take the rubble out by removing a fence panel.  Is it just a footpath at the side or road too.  If there's a road they may use a grab lorry to remove the rubble.  If stuff is blowing into your garden it's not unreasonable for you to speak to the builders and ask them to stop that happening again.  Dust won't be a problem for the next few months I suspect.