chocchick Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 We had a letter of complaint from the council on Friday saying gates were not allowed to open outwards onto the pavement on our road and we had to modify our gate or we would get a formal notice with a possible fine. No-one has actually complained and we are as we are sure it is a lady on our road who is a bit funny with hedge clippings, parking a van just to unload clearly heavy things like beds and who we once caught spying on us. She's complained before, but she did put our back up so she's probably picked up that we are a bit frosty towards her after the first 2 times. Maybe she has a point, I sometimes leave the gate open onto the pavement for about 20 minutes when no-one is about if I am only out briefly on my own. Otherwise it would involve backing out of the drive, parking, shutting the gate, driving off, parking, opening the gate and driving in again. I've only done it when the road is quiet. I'm so annoyed she would go straight to the council about a gate. I would happily just close the gate in future if she's said. Anyway we have to do it, but my Mum informs me there if you sell your house you have to sign something saying that you have had no disputes with your neighbours. Does anyone know about this, and do you think I am still dispute free as long as we quietly remove the gate and act politely if we happen to see the lady? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 I don't really know much about this sort of thing but it seems to me that you have not had a dispute with your neighbour, as you don't know who has complained. I would just remove/mofify the gate. You had the letter, put it right, so that equals no dispute as far as I can see! And you will just have to grit your teeth when you meet the neighbour. Shame that she just couldn't come direct to you though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Choccky.....yes you do have to sign a form when you sell up stating that there are no disputes with neighbours. At this stage however, you have not actually had a dispute with any particular individual over this issue and would be able to state this with a clear conscience. With regard to people complaining when you are having goods delivered, that would show her to be small minded and petty as these vans are generally there for less than half an hour, and presumably she has things delivered from time to time and will expect tolerance on those occasions. I think it is an offence to obstruct a footway though, so you may have to grin and bear that one. A curt nod is all this person needs....you are not obliged to be her best friend. She'll warm up when she wants something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Councils make me mad ...havent they got anything better to do than worry about a garden gate!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 My mum's council are just plain stupid. They will not allow her to keep her caravan on her garden if it's on the grass, instead it has to be on a proper hard standing that they have authorised. Putting a few slabs down is not sufficient for them. But for my mum to get to her garden shed they put four such slabs down at her back door and left them with a 6" drop to the mud below (she's disabled so it's a bit too much for her balance with one foot on slab, one on mud) The same council would not take out her bath and replace it with a basic shower (the cost effective option) - they decided to go all out and have fitted an £800 bath chair thats remote controlled and lifts her in and out of the bath, after they modified the bath and handles to get it to fit too! And this ladies and gents, is what we pay out taxes for??!! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Oh Andrew, sounds all too familiar to me! My nan is 93, lives on her own. Hadnt showered or bathed for years (I mean about 6-7 years) and just strip washed because she could not get into the bath. After a spate in hospital some dimwit assessor came out and advised her to have a "bath chair"...which she DIDNT want and told the lady so. I e mailed the council and told them my nan wanted a shower - not a chair in the bath as she would be too frightened to use it. Idiotic council still went ahead - employed some blokes to come out and fit bath chair..........what happened - she never used it - gathered dust in the bathroom. Another spate in hospital and another assessment....some bright spark suddendly twigged "this frail 93 year old lady cannot get in and out of the bath" which is what we had told them all along....and they plonked in a shower. it changed her life, but I tell you it really makes me wonder sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 chocchick, I am sure you don't need to worry about neighbour disputes - this is between you and the council, as far as you are aware. The 'neighbour disputes' question is really about whether you have had any arguments about boundaries, use of driveways, maintenance of jointly owned walls etc, but this is about the council reminding you of a bye-law, nothing to do with neighbours (as far as you know). You might, if you sold the house, be asked if you've been served with any notices by the council. In that case it would be wise to disclose the letter (even though it's probably not a formal 'notice'), and explain that since then you've modified the gate. However, if you're not planning to move in the near future, don't worry about it - unless you are thinking of putting the house on the market in the next twelve months, I don't think this would be relevant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 ..and don't be too with the council (on this occasion.) They were probably obliged to write if they were told of an outward opening gate. They can be a hazard, even though you are careful. So, it's prob. wise to change the opening, then there's no question of their being a dispute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 ..and don't be too with the council (on this occasion.) They were probably obliged to write if they were told of an outward opening gate. They can be a hazard, even though you are careful.So, it's prob. wise to change the opening, then there's no question of their being a dispute. I'm actually annoyed with the person who complained as I hate upsetting people/causing problems and we could have potentially settled it amicably without the council The best thing is most gates in our neighbourhood open outwards Anyway needed a moan, there's not a lot I can do and at least it's not a dispute which is nice to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 ..and don't be too with the council (on this occasion.) They were probably obliged to write if they were told of an outward opening gate. They can be a hazard, even though you are careful.So, it's prob. wise to change the opening, then there's no question of their being a dispute. I'm actually annoyed with the person who complained as I hate upsetting people/causing problems and we could have potentially settled it amicably without the council The best thing is most gates in our neighbourhood open outwards Anyway needed a moan, there's not a lot I can do and at least it's not a dispute which is nice to know. Take photos Choccky and when you respond to the council's letter, include them as to support your case. It would be even better if they were opened outwards at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Choccy, you do have my sympathy. If it was a neighbour reporting it, they don't deserve your time and it would make me too. Grievances can easily be sorted out politely without trying to cause you trouble. I would hate to get a letter like that, so a big hug & chocolate from me. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 which way do this ladies open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 outwards (maybe both ways?) Her point is me leaving the gates open, rather than which way they open technically which I am guilty of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 Like Victor Meldrew I don't believe it we've now got an official letter giving us 21 days to change it or face a fine/courts etc. The council never even responded to my email and the gate has not opened outwards since the last letter for longer than it takes to back out a car, park and shut...even for a 10 min trip to get chicken food down the road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 That is really crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Can you write a polite letter to the council pointing out that other gates open outwards too and asking if everyone is being sent this letter? If not, why just you! I think its still best to change it to stop any more hassle (that's just me though I like an easy life) Don't let them get to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 Don't let them get to you! It's one of a number of things with MFI, Carphone Warehouse/OH, getting nowhere with job applications, having no money, chickens ill/dying, my PhD supervisor and having 2 weeks to finish my PhD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Oh you do sound down I know its hard but try and focus on one thing at a time. Finish your PHD, complain about your supervisor if you need to (but get the work finished first if you can), let OH worry about his job situation for the moment. I find making a list and allocating time to do different things helps me sort out the stuff drumming through my brain. Can you set aside an hour or so today to shoot off some letters to the companies that are letting you down then you have got that out of the way for now, allowing you to concentrate on the important things. Not sure what to say about the chickens though. You have had a really rough time recently and it is heartbreaking to hear about your girls. Oh and if all else fails - we will rally round and send you lots of chocolate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Chocolate always works for me, esp G&B Try and keep your chin up Chocchick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 When we had the kirb dropped for our garage, part of the planning consent was that the gate must open onto your own land, this is something to do with the highways act as far as I am aware...... I wouldnt say it was a dispute with a neighbour, if anything a dispute with the local authority........It is a shame they neighbours have nothing better in their lives though....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Oh Chocchick so sorry you're having a rough time...........councils Sometimes you just don't need extra, very non important, problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Hi Chocchick, Sorry you are having a tough time - it sound like you have enough to deal with without the Council sticking their oar in too Could the complaint have come from someone with a pushchair who couldn't easily use the pavement or maybe the bin men? They (bin men) once reported us to the Council for obstruction,resulting in a letter & construction notice from them (the car of a visitor was in their way, apparantly) I think you should take it on the chin, make the necessary adjustments to the gates & chalk it up to experience. Then forget about it & get on with your busy life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I would get on to the builder if it is a fairly new house. The gates have been fitted wrongly. No gates anywhere are allowed to open outwards on to the pavement, as far as I know: I have never seen any gates that do, and a quick trawl of the web shows that most councils forbid it. If left open, they could be a hazard to the disabled, elderly, young, and blind. All the same, provided that they are closed immediately after use, I can't see it would be a problem: if anything, they are offering extra protection like level-crossing gates as the car goes in and out. At least it's not your chickens that are being complained about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 I would get on to the builder if it is a fairly new house. The gates have been fitted wrongly. No gates anywhere are allowed to open outwards on to the pavement, as far as I know: I have never seen any gates that do, and a quick trawl of the web shows that most councils forbid it. If left open, they could be a hazard to the disabled, elderly, young, and blind. All the same, provided that they are closed immediately after use, I can't see it would be a problem: if anything, they are offering extra protection like level-crossing gates as the car goes in and out. At least it's not your chickens that are being complained about! The house was built in the 20s and gates were like that 4 years ago when we moved in. No complaints until April this year. We think it is an elderly lady down the road who has complained about legitimate parking and leaves on the pavement, but who knows?! Still luck-wise I have a receptionist job for just 1 week next week so financially Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 I went out at lunchtime and found myself looking at gates. I can see it is going to be a new obsession. Of course a lot of gates were given in for the war effort, so maybe it's a post-Second-World War rule that they must open inwards, and they were refitted in that way. If your gates have been opening outwards since the 1920s, I would have thought you were perfectly within your rights to keep them that way, as long as you don't leave them open for too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
