Neighbors running a repair business from home?

StevenB12

WIAWSNB said:

The ideal process is; get the evidence, and then report.

From what you've said, you'd have accumulated plenty. But now it's largely your word against theirs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356763116901? This, and a micro SD card. High res images, crystal clear sound, live feed to your phone, and ~10-day SD recording (overwrites) on a 128GB card. Even has remote pan and tilt.

Thank you 

FreeBear

StevenB12 said: - Obviously the one thing they can't hide is the amount of vehicles they have and the work they are doing. But I suppose they wouldn't deal to much with that 

If the vehicles are uninsured, untaxed, or without a valid MOT and are on the highway (that includes the verge), the police can seize them. Or they might just issue a few fixed penalty notices.

WIAWSNB

StevenB12 said:

m0bov said:

Have you spoken to your local police?

No, not yet anyway. Unfortunately I can see it coming down to a case of "he said she said" - Obviously the one thing they can't hide is the amount of vehicles they have and the work they are doing. But I suppose they wouldn't deal to much with that 

Until - and even after - you fit CCTV, write down a brief chronological account of everything that has taken place.
Include any comms you've had - write this as verbatim as possible.
Keep it going, even if it's 'trivial'; "6th May, 19:15, squeals of tyres as cars moved around." On its own, that's nowt, but carried out repeatedly it's a nuisance, and will highlight that even on 'good' days, your peaceful enjoyment of your home is being affected. And if it increases after you, say, speak to them, then it would suggest harassment.
Set your camera to only cover your front area, and you won't need signs - you can make it discrete. It will, however, captured sound. If you can, also see if it'll captured the attending vehicles, ideally their plates. 
'If' this becomes a case the police, or trading standards (that's another department to have a chat with), or HMRC take seriously, they should be able to build up a good picture of what's been going on. 
Keep all downloaded clips secure and don't share them with anyone; they are only for use if action is required.

StevenB12

Update - 

Got a small camera set up now just from the bedroom window as this covers our front garden but also covers where they are at work outside as well.

Ironically, since the incident with the fence they have been a lot more quiet, but very infrequent. Loud music started at 7pm a few nights ago, still outside at 1am. No music etc but still making general noise, which might be becoming petty on my side but still. 

Local MP still hasn't come back with anything personally, but his receptionist did, she has passed every over to him and has expressed similar concerns about the home being used as a business without correct planning/authority. Nothing has come back from the council yet. Chased this up today. 

Thanks again everyone for your advice. Much appreciated 

WIAWSNB

Thanks for the update.
These things do take stupid time

m0bov

Have you tried making an appointment at the local planning office to raise it? Have you spoken to other neighbours? Form a group??

StevenB12

m0bov said:

Have you tried making an appointment at the local planning office to raise it? Have you spoken to other neighbours? Form a group??

Ive spoke to my direct neighbour and the one over the road who is next most effected. Next door neighbour isn't happy but she doesn't want to kick up a fuss, said she just turns her T.V up but she now goes to the conservatory at so its further away from the noise. And the other neighbor has also been seeking advice over the noise also 

StevenB12

Hi all,

Long overdue update to anyone still interested. 

So since this post pretty much, of maybe a week afterwards, touch wood (ironically with the fence haha) all has been quiet. I suspect another complaint has gone in as the music has stopped, as has 90% of the noise. Cars are all still there etc. Having spoken to neighbours on my side, at least 4 of them have complaints and I suspect one did a direct complaint. 

As for us, the local councillor followed up with us, as the noise has stopped she has told is to monitor it, and she will check in again in a month or so. I believe she has spoken to the council planning department etc to see about the business from home side of things, and we seen a council officer taking photos about 2 weeks ago of the vehicles but no update on that since.