Latest news with #neighbours
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Conwy Airbnb host ordered to tear down 'prison watchtower'
Owners of an Airbnb have been told to tear down what neighbours dubbed a "prison camp watchtower" in their "monstrous" tower was built without planning permission in January 2024 in the garden of a holiday let on Tan y Bryn Road, Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy sparked fury from neighbours who claimed the structure was blighting their day-to-day Domestic Properties Ltd submitted a number of retrospective planning applications to try to retain the "garden room", but these were refused. Conwy council said: "An enforcement notice has been served which requires the removal of the structure."The Local Democracy Reporting Service has been told that the order took effect on 17 June, with the developer given 10 weeks from that date to launch an appeal. Nick Whitmore, 35, who moved on to Tan y Bryn with his family in 2021, said the structure compromised their quality of life."It dominates our property and our neighbours," he explained. "[My family] can't even sit at their breakfast table without it being overlooked, and it is the same for lots of other houses in the locality."We are looking forward to the structure coming down."It will mean we no longer have such a dominating and intrusive structure, which is so overbearing, looking over our garden or our neighbours' gardens."Another neighbour previously said the structure was "commanding attention not unlike a prison camp watchtower". An application by JAM Domestic Properties to retain the structure read: "Views from the raised platform into neighbouring properties were recognised as being available from the initial planning consent."The proposed development is not considered to lead to an acceptable increase to this and is not considered to have a detrimental impact on privacy or residential amenity to neighbouring properties, and therefore would be acceptable on this basis."The firm declined to comment on the enforcement notice.
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
I accidentally ruined my neighbour's fence after I painted mine – but it's not the mess that's annoyed people the most
A DIY enthusiast has revealed that after giving his fence a lick of fresh paint, he soon realised he had accidentally ruined his neighbour's fence in the process. Unsure of what to do, the homeowner took to social media to show off the 'nightmare' and ask for people's advice on how to remove the stains. 2 2 But while many were stunned by the mess, this wasn't what annoyed people the most. In fact, users were more bothered by the colour he had chosen to paint his fence - yes, you heard that correctly. Posting on Reddit, on the r/DIYUK thread, the anonymous man shared his post under the username @nokpaan and wrote: 'HELP!!! Made a mess of [my] neighbou r's fence.' Alongside pictures of his neighbour's side of the fence, he then confessed: 'I recently painted/stained my fence with the paint dripping over to my neighbours side of the fence. 'Has anyone come across this nightmare or has any idea on how to remove this stain?' In an attempt to clean up his error, he shared: 'I've tried using a sander and paint stripper was of little help.' Desperate to fix the issue, he begged: 'Any product or idea will be highly welcomed and appreciated.' Reddit advice. One person said: 'Offer to paint their side the same colour.' Another added: 'Oops. That won't be coming out any time soon! I'm sorry but you must surely have noticed what was happening whilst you were undertaking this work? DIY Privacy Fences: Affordable Garden Solutions 'There's literally nothing that will get that out, so it's either stain their side too, cover it somehow, or replace the fence.' Whilst a third commented: 'Only option is to bite the bullet and paint their fence as well.' The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue Broken fences - top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway Trees - complaints about a neighbour's tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating Bin wars - outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours Nosy Neighbours - some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others But it turns out it wasn't the mess that frustrated people the most - in fact, many were more offended that the man had chosen to paint his fence grey. Not only did someone describe it as a 'hellish grey fence', but alongside a puking emoji, one user sighed: 'And of all the A second questioned: 'Did you think you'd somehow be able to only paint one side without it bleeding through to the other side. Grey? Really? On a garden fence?' At the same time, another wondered: 'When will this terrible fashion for grey wood die out? My neighbour did the same.' Meanwhile, one person confessed: 'If this was my fence I would have you replace it. I would not want a grey fence that needs maintenance every two/three years.' Rules on fences and trees Fences: Height Restrictions: In most areas, fences in front gardens should not exceed one metre in height without planning permission. For rear gardens, the limit is generally two metres. Shared Fences: If a fence is shared with a neighbour, both parties are typically responsible for its maintenance and any costs associated with repairs or replacement. Building Regulations: Ensure that any new fence complies with local building regulations and does not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians. Trees: Ownership: Trees located on your property are your responsibility, including any damage they may cause. Conversely, trees on a neighbour's property are their responsibility. Overhanging Branches: You are entitled to trim branches that overhang into your property, but only up to the boundary line. The cut branches should be offered back to the tree owner. Protected Trees: Some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Check with your local council before undertaking any work on a tree, as unauthorised work can result in fines. Roots: If tree roots from a neighbour's tree cause damage to your property, you have the right to remove the roots. However, it is advisable to discuss this with your neighbour first to avoid disputes. Always consult your local council or a legal adviser for specific regulations and advice. In response to the comments, the Reddit author later wrote: 'I made a mistake hence I wanna fix it to have a good relationship with my neighbour. '[The] neighbour doesn't want to paint his fence so I might have to cover the mess. 'Thanks for the help and I don't think I'm touching a brush anytime soon.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Scaled-down infill project drawing ire
Edmonton Watch CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson has more on an infill project the owner said he intentionally scaled down, but still has neighbours upset.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
Former Dublin county registrar drops appeal in neighbour extension case
Former Dublin county registrar Rita Considine has dropped her appeal of a judge's dismissal of claims she brought against her next-door neighbours over an extension to the neighbours' home. Last December, Judge Jennifer O'Brien in the Dublin Circuit Civil Court threw out the case , criticising Ms Considine's 'unnecessarily aggressive, threatening and litigious approach' in her dispute with Michael and Anne Flanagan, and their daughter, Sinead. Ms Considine had sought damages for negligence, trespass and nuisance against the retired couple and their daughter, the legal owner of her parents' home 'at an address in Dublin'. On Tuesday, the first of several scheduled hearing days in Ms Considine's High Court appeal, her senior counsel James Dwyer informed Ms Justice Sara Phelan that the appeal was being withdrawn. READ MORE In the circumstances, the judge made an order affirming the decision of the Circuit Court. She said not having to proceed with the appeal was probably the 'most appropriate manner of dealing with things'. The judge also made an order for costs in the appeal in favour of the Flanagans. Mr Dwyer had submitted to the judge that there should be no order on costs. Ted Harding SC, appearing with Eamon Marray SC for the Flanagans, said costs should be awarded to his side. He noted that Ms Considine's side waited until Tuesday's hearing before withdrawing the case, and put 'great cost' on his clients. Granting an order for costs to the Flanagans, Ms Justice Phelan said she was of the view that Ms Considine's side had 'ample opportunity' to withdraw the appeal before Tuesday's hearing date. Ms Considine, the current county registrar for Limerick and Clare, brought the Circuit Court case against her neighbours in November 2021. In the proceedings, she claimed she entered into an agreement with the defendants in 2019 whereby she would not object to planning permission to their planned extension. In return, she was told there would be no trespass on her property, all work would occur within the curtilage of the neighbours' property, a mature evergreen hedge between the properties would not be damaged and windows would be moved so they did not overlook her property. Judge O'Brien ruled that there had been, at best, an 'understanding between neighbours' about how to proceed. She quoted the late SC Paul Anthony McDermott's book, Contract Law, which stated that 'generally good neighbours will assist each other without ever imagining that they are creating legally binding relations'. Demolition and excavation work began in June 2021 and, after damage was noticed to a boundary wall, a meeting was held between representatives of the two property owners and an agreement reached. Ms Considine claimed the agreement was subsequently breached and, among other matters, that the work carried out by her neighbours led to damp in the garage that she and her husband used as a home gym and utility room. In their submissions, the Flanagans described as 'inexplicable' Ms Considine's refusal to engage in mediation, and said she and her husband had sought to 'weaponise their legal experience'. In her judgment, Judge O'Brien said she was satisfied 'that [Ms Considine] adopted an unnecessarily aggressive, threatening and litigious approach from the outset'. 'The court accepts the contention proffered by the defendants that the plaintiff's conduct in this matter shows a determination on her part to pursue the claim to trial. This is a most unfortunate approach to take to any dispute, least of all a dispute between neighbours,' said the judge.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The B&Q buy that stopped nosy neighbours peeking into my garden – took minutes to fit & £1.5k cheaper than a new fence
A SMALL rotten picket fence, that is suffocating under the weight of unruly ivy and bindweed sits between myself and my neighbours. We both have 80ft gardens, but the evening sun lands on my side of their fence. 4 4 And of course, they want to enjoy the sun too, so they sit as close as possible to the fence, meaning we have nothing but a few pieces of wood separating us. It's as uncomfortable and awkward as you can imagine. But privacy isn't an issue solely related to topping up our Vitamin D; I can't potter around my garden, watering my plants, without feeling my neighbour's eyes burning into the back of my head, or enjoy the morning sun with a cup of coffee in my pyjamas. In an ideal world, we'd put up a new fence. But according to Land Registry, the fence on the right side of our garden is our neighbours' responsibility - or more specifically, the landlord who owns the house and rents it out. And they have no intention to spend any money on erecting a new one. A basic 6ft high wooden fence could cost anywhere from £1,600 to £3,000 for one side of my garden and across the back - that's if the cheapest fence panels are chosen. That's a lot of money to spend on a fence that isn't yours... So a privacy fence would have to do in the meantime, until our budget allows for a brand new fence. With the permission of the landlord, we were allowed to attach a bamboo screen to our side of the neighbours fence to offer instant privacy. And B&Q's Bamboo Split Slat Fencing Screening Rolls for Garden Outdoor Privacy did the job. The privacy screen is 4m long, but comes in a variety of heights, making it suitable for all gardens. Trying out Lidl's new weeding tools As for the price, they start at £24.99. 4mx1m - £24.99 4mx1.2m - £29.99 4mx1.5m - £36.99 4mx1.8m - was £46.99, currently on offer for £42.99 4mx2m - was £49.99, currently on offer for £44.99 Standing at two metres, or 6"6 tall and four metres long, we needed two screens to cover the exposed area of the fence. So in total, it cost under £100 - a whopping £1,500 cheaper than getting a new fence. The online product description for the screen reads: "This robust and eco-friendly bamboo slat fencing screening roll will make a perfect practical addition to your garden. "It is popular as a way to improve existing fencing and frame flower beds. "The bamboo is strong enough to increase the height of existing fences. It can be used on its own or attached to an existing fence.. These bamboo slat fencing screening rolls can be attached to existing garden fences, stone walls, chain link wire fencing, arbours and many other areas the garden which requires screening or shade. "It can be easily attached to wooden garden fences by the use of galvanised garden staples securing top and bottom of the bamboo slat fencing screening." 4 4 Using long screws and mushroom caps, we attached the screen to the existing picket fence every foot or so along, and it stood proudly. It's a two person job; one to screw and one to roll it out and hold it tight. But after 10 minutes, both screens were up! As for how it screen isn't entirely opaque; there are tiny gaps between the bamboo rods that let some light through. So unless you and your neighbour have a staring competition, you can't see them. Plus, when the sun hits it, it leaves a beautiful dappled effect across the grass. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it looks. And I wasn't the only happy customer. One left a review which read: "These fences are so nice, they really brightened our garden and covered our older looking fences. My husband just screwed them into our existing fences. Hope they last throughout the winter season." Another said: "Bought this to cover an unsightly pebble dashed garage. It looks great, is really strong and will also act as a climbing frame for my plants too!" A third wrote: "We've just used this to cover a wall in bad condition. Very pleased with the look of it." What are your rights over a fence row? IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway. The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing. Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are. Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines. There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours '. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft. You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant. One other review read: "Sturdy bamboo screening, not the cheapest but worth it compared to others I have seen. Very easy to install. And lovely when it's up. Going to order some more. Really quick delivery. Great buy." As for whether it holds up in extreme weather, two days later, the weather turned, and winds whipped around the garden, but because of the small gaps between the bamboo, it was more resistant and allowed the wind to pass through. With a year warranty, it gives us enough time to save up for a brand new fence.
