A possible problem?

[Moo]

Now that we're nearing the end of this phase*, we're anticipating the time when our piggy-bank has recharged itself enough for us to contemplate a mini-project.
Our garden is a decent enough size (for SE22, that is) and ends with the very pleasant side wall of another house. What I'd like to do is construct a sort of shed-cum-studio at this end, stretching the whole width of the garden and backing right up to said wall.
However, my OH has raised the question of this neighbours' right to access their wall. Does anyone know whether this might be an issue?



* today is the first anniversary of our move, and some time this afternoon an enormous Pickfords van will arrive and once again the house will be filled with the 120+ boxes that have been in store for a year.
The nightmare begins............!

 

[middi]

Common sense will probably dictate ( in conjunction with some possible covenant or other ) that your neighbour ( having had permission) may have the right to access your property to carry out repairs to his. The fact that you may have a shed, a swimming pool or a massive copse of overgrown brambles to deal with it is his hard luck and cost, and, as long as he leaves your property as he found it, cost is not your concern.
He/she should just be grateful for the permission for access to your property.
Also, I don't think I ever heard that your neighbours can dictate what you grow( or build) on your property ,as long as it is of the legal kind of course.
If you or OH have any problems make them an offer they can't refuse, just threaten to plant two tight rows of 10 ft high cactus plants against his wall ( ad that is very legal with no pp required :wink: )
( sorry Moo, the Corleone streak took over there)
Middi

 

[Moo]

Thanks so much for that gung-ho reassurance, Middi. I shall inform the OH.

But - I was hoping that the neighbour's wall would become the back wall of the shed. I hate those mean little six-inch gaps that provide a cosy refuge for pests like brambles, rodents, and the urban foxes that patrol the neighbourhood.
Would that make a difference?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Moo, what tremendous achievements. Well done.

My understanding of the situation, which may be wrong, is that such a thing would require PP, and that is the chance for your neighbour to object.

I have a large house wall at the end of our London garden too, and have been shocked in the past to find painters and decorators there who'd pulled down my plants and commenced painting. It was completely tyrannical of the owner, who was very old and suffering with dementia. He was convinced my plants were causing damp in his property. After a lot of soothing and negotiating with the poor gentleman's wife, who was hugely embarrassed by his behaviour, we finally agreed to remove the large tree there, going halves on the cost, not plant any more climbers, and that of course he could have access for painting ( it was an anti damp type paint ) but that it would have to be arranged beforehand.

I think he would have been delighted if I had done as you propose to do as that would have turned the troublesome section into an inside wall, offering it protection. As long as there's no light blocking or view issues I'd imagine you could, in a friendly chat, point out the real benefits of your project to that property, and offering access if it should be needed in the future.

 

[MatthewC]

If it was my wall, I would be most unhappy if you started to drill holes in it, or paint it, or otherwise affect its breathability (if it's lime), even if it's not large enough to need planning permission. Possibly by making it a wall of your outhouse'shed/studio, you are making it a Party Wall and so that Act comes into play?

You need to talk to find out what the neighbour thinks of your proposal. As I understand it, when selling you have to mention if there have been issues with the neighbours, which could complicate things when it gets to that stage.

 

[middi]

I would hazard a guess, Moo, that you have no right to use his property wall as a backing for your shed.
If that is the ( legal) case then you must adhere to the current planning laws and abide by the PP laws as to how far from the boundary you are allowed to erect a shed etc..

Good luck

Middi

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I think they have a right to request access for maintenance etc, so probably not a good idea to use the wall in any way. I do sympathise as we have the neighbours wall 5ft from our back door-- I have been tempted to graffiti art it several times!

Congrats on completing phase 1 now you will have fun unpacking those boxes-- nightmare!

Co-incidentally We are removing the last of our stored items from 4 years ago this Sunday--- gawd knows where I am going to put it all--we have built a mezzanine in the shed, anything that wont fit there will have to go--- but at least I have now freed up the necessary £'s to get Jasper started on his gun dog training. It's all a bit frustrating this move/budget/make do and mend lark. Sometimes have to look very hard to find the positives!!

Hope the corkscrew appears out of your boxes so you can really feel at home!
xxxxx

 

[agbagb]

With the permission of my neighbour I built my garage right up to his GARDEN wall. He didn't want any structural loading on the wall so that side of the garage is supported on columns, the wall in effect could be knocked down leaving my garage standing. No maintenance would be required, I repointed what needed doing.

But I wouldn't suggest this is approach going down so well against a house side. There will be issues of potential noise and privacy issues (may be not from what you plan but future owners may be a drummer thinking it will mak a good practice room). Any repointing, gutter clearing, eaves work would need expensive scaffolding rather than a simple ladder. For these reasons I wouldn't want it, right up against my house. However a large independant substantial "shed" that could in theory be moved might be OK.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Well, even Moo might be planning on getting in some drumming practice, after all her OH is a very competent musician---- :wink: :wink:

 

[Moo]

... and her son is a professional percussionist!

However, back to the matter in hand, and having digested all the advice, I suspect that my little dream is going to end up just that - a pipe dream.
Although it's much bigger than our last garden (it even boasts a lawn), I really can't afford to slice more than about six feet off the end of it, which is why I was hoping to butt it up against the wall.
If I were to make it free-standing I'd need to leave a three foot space between it and the brick wall, and insert a back door, so as to be able to deal with weeds and other pests. Which would shorten the garden by nine feet.

Oh dear. It was a nice idea, but I think I'm going to have to come up with a different plan.

However, at the moment all our attention is focused on the boxes. The removal men packed everything with such loving care that one of our problems is accommodating the sacks of packing paper in which everything has been wrapped - even the half-empty jars of preserves that we're having to empty and wash before they go out for recycling have been treated as if they were Crown Derby.

 

[tobydog]

Moo - Friday afternoon silly session. In the words of Bananarama, Act Like An Egyptian. If you sit the thing on telegraph poles and then anchor it down, should the neighbour ever need to get access to the wall, just roll the shed out of the way. You may not be building a pyramid but it worked for them. Alternatively, set it up on wheels :idea:

 

[plasticpigeon]

Like one of these??

 

[angrybird]

PP thats a lovely little Gypsy caravan,I have a soft spot for a shepherd hut.A nice bespoke little number.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Funnily enough I was going to make the same suggestion! I love those Shepherd's huts!

Moo, maybe you will have to see if you can go outwards from your own back/kitchen wall--- does it lead onto the garden? Sort of conservatory/ orangery/ type studio

 

[88v8]

Excellent idea.

Here are two trailer wheel units with wheels, easy to find two more.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400kg-Trailer-Suspension-Units-Ex-Mini-Car-Wheels-Complete-with-4-Inch-PCD-Hub-/140972907291?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item20d2a3db1b

Build a free-standing shed with one wheel unit under each corner. Provide a line of paving slabs for it to run on, then you can pull/push it away from the wall if/as required. Once in position jack it up onto blocks with one of these to take the weight off the tyres.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALKO-CARAVAN-JACK-/130941776349?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item1e7cbcf1dd

Presume the wall is high enough for you to cut in a lead flashing across the peak of the roof (wall owner's permiss of course) then you won't get water running down the back of the shed.

Sorted, as they say.

Ivor

 

[Moo]

I love that idea!
As soon as shepherds' huts was mentioned I spent a very happy hour or so googling, and got more and more excited.
But this morning, as I was on the point of doing some serious measuring in the garden, reality came down on me like a giant Monty Python foot.
How would I get it into the garden?
When one lives in a terrace, everything has to be taken through the house. Our poor builders had to dig out eighteen inches of soil round the outside of our rear extension by hand, and then do the same in the very long kitchen, and barrow it out to the skip(s). Not for them the luxury of a mini-digger.
I suppose it would be possible (at a hefty price) to have it craned in, like what they do on Grand Designs, but unfortunately funds just wouldn't stretch.
The only solution seems to be to bring all the component parts in one by one and then assemble them on-site. Any idea where I could get the stuff made to measure?

 

[angrybird]

http://www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk/self-build-huts/

This company do a self build option,it may not be the best idea or the cheapest but it shows there are other options out there x

 

[88v8]

The only solution seems to be to bring all the component parts in one by one and then assemble them on-site. Any idea where I could get the stuff made to measure?

Stuff?
You mean as in pieces of wood?

Yup, make a drawing, buy the wood, make it in the garden under a gazebo.

Floor beams 4x2", perimeter of floor 6x2", floorboards 1" tg. Side frames 3x2", roof 3x2" covered with onduline. Diagonal braces in the side frames to resist the push/pull forces when you move it. Cladding feather edge or shiplap. Door 6X1". Window(s) to taste. Buy the wheel units, figure out how to fix them on while you make the floor.

I made our woodshed that way, on the drive, during the winter. Piece by piece.
And in our first house, mid-terraced, I made a garden shed in our spare bedroom then carried each side down the stairs to assemble in the garden. We still have the shed two house-moves and 34 years later.

Pics tomorrow.

Ivor

 

[angrybird]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SET-OF-4-MATCHING-5-SPOKE-12-CAST-IRON-WHEELS-shepherds-hut-chicken-house-/271234602332?pt=UK_Antiques_Architecural_RL&hash=item3f26d7955c
The even have an assortment of hut wheels on fleabay

 

[jocelyn plummer]

ooooo Moo, this is getting really exciting--- self build Shepherd's Hut-- Id love to do that too, must check out the recommendations above----