Neighbour's driveway - gas metres

Kai_63

I live in an upstairs flat in a Victorian conversion and the front garden outside is  owned by the downstairs neighbour (although we are both leaseholders).

The neighbour wants to convert the outside into a driveway. My gas meter is underneath his front bay window and the front of the car would be parked by this. Cars parked there could potentially block my gas metre (it's a legal requirement to have access) and/or accidentally damage it as it's a small space so I'm reluctant (as it is, my meter has been blocked during their building work).

The planning team and crossover teams at the council say the issue of the gas meter a private matter. Is there anything else I can do to prevent it?

Kai_63

Sorry not sure what happened to the formatting!

Typhoon2000

I am sure that the planning and building of the driveway is quite separate from what it is eventually used for and if such uses may or may not temporarily block access to the meter. He may get a smaller car or a motorbike, so I don’t think this will affect planning. Where is your neighbours gas meter?

Bigphil1474

Have you spoken to the freeholder? You could look at getting the meter moved, paid for by downstairs, or agree a layout that puts some sort of physical barrier in front of the meter so you can always get access? Is it a smart meter? If not, maybe change. Tbh, what are the odds of you needing to get to read the gas meter urgently?

Kai_63

Thank you. His meter is in the same place. He has a large car which he is intending to park there but even if it's not him, visitors or future neighbours are also an issue.

Just surprised that given it's a safety issue (e.g. if it's damaged I can't turn my gas off) the council don't take it into account especially as it's a 4m long space (length from the bay) and most cars are longer than that.

FreeBear

There are measures that can be taken to protect a wall mounted gas meter from impact damage - At the extreme end, Armco barriers. Less visually intrusive, a couple of 30-50mm diameter posts.

With a smart meter, you rarely need to access it to take readings - The energy supplier can (usually) download the data remotely, and you can also do a reading via the IHD. If you don't have a smart meter, I'd recommend getting one sometime in the near future.

Section62

Kai_63 said:

I live in an upstairs flat in a Victorian conversion and the front garden outside is  owned by the downstairs neighbour (although we are both leaseholders).

The neighbour wants to convert the outside into a driveway. My gas meter is underneath his front bay window and the front of the car would be parked by this. Cars parked there could potentially block my gas metre (it's a legal requirement to have access) and/or accidentally damage it as it's a small space so I'm reluctant (as it is, my meter has been blocked during their building work).

The planning team and crossover teams at the council say the issue of the gas meter a private matter. Is there anything else I can do to prevent it?

Does the council's policy on providing dropped kerbs say anything about minimum bay length (depth)?

Kai_63

FreeBear said:

There are measures that can be taken to protect a wall mounted gas meter from impact damage - At the extreme end, Armco barriers. Less visually intrusive, a couple of 30-50mm diameter posts.

With a smart meter, you rarely need to access it to take readings - The energy supplier can (usually) download the data remotely, and you can also do a reading via the IHD. If you don't have a smart meter, I'd recommend getting one sometime in the near future.

Thank you. I'm less concerned about readings and more concerned about being able to turn off the gas if there's a gas leak. Will take a look at the protection options.

Kai_63

Section62 said:

Kai_63 said:

I live in an upstairs flat in a Victorian conversion and the front garden outside is  owned by the downstairs neighbour (although we are both leaseholders).

The neighbour wants to convert the outside into a driveway. My gas meter is underneath his front bay window and the front of the car would be parked by this. Cars parked there could potentially block my gas metre (it's a legal requirement to have access) and/or accidentally damage it as it's a small space so I'm reluctant (as it is, my meter has been blocked during their building work).

The planning team and crossover teams at the council say the issue of the gas meter a private matter. Is there anything else I can do to prevent it?

Does the council's policy on providing dropped kerbs say anything about minimum bay length (depth)?

Unfortunately this is all it seems to say:

'No part of a vehicle parked within a property frontage may project on to or over the highway.'

'Front gardens / forecourts should be an absolute minimum of 2.4 metres wide. There is no minimum depth requirement.'

TELLIT01

Have you spoken to occupier of the ground floor flat about your concerns.  All they need to do is ensure enough space is left beside/behind their car to get access to the meter.

Section62

Kai_63 said:

Section62 said:

Kai_63 said:

I live in an upstairs flat in a Victorian conversion and the front garden outside is  owned by the downstairs neighbour (although we are both leaseholders).

The neighbour wants to convert the outside into a driveway. My gas meter is underneath his front bay window and the front of the car would be parked by this. Cars parked there could potentially block my gas metre (it's a legal requirement to have access) and/or accidentally damage it as it's a small space so I'm reluctant (as it is, my meter has been blocked during their building work).

The planning team and crossover teams at the council say the issue of the gas meter a private matter. Is there anything else I can do to prevent it?

Does the council's policy on providing dropped kerbs say anything about minimum bay length (depth)?

Unfortunately this is all it seems to say:

'No part of a vehicle parked within a property frontage may project on to or over the highway.'

'Front gardens / forecourts should be an absolute minimum of 2.4 metres wide. There is no minimum depth requirement.'

Shame.  If they had a minimum depth and the neighbour couldn't achieve that then you'd have some grounds to complain to the council about their decision - but in this case it doesn't help you at all.