Garden Path

[15C Mike]

We have just moved into a grade II list 15C property. Between the house neighbour is an "alley" about 8 ft wide. About 4ft is path (a mixture of bricks and larger paving slabs) and the 4ft alongside the neighbours wall is a bank of earth about 1 ft high with some plants in. The total length of the path is about 30 yds.

We would like to remove the earth bank (which may uncover some more path or may be just earth) and then pave the whole area. The current path is very uneven and slippery when wet.

I've telephone the local council but I can't speak to a conservation officer about LBC, I've been told to put it in writing with a diagram.

Not ever having dealt with a conservation dept. before I want to get off on the right foot and have some idea as to what is likely to be allowed and what isn't. We would ideally like to put down some more modern "non-slip" paving or possible some pea gravel.

Can anyone offer advice? i.e. is what I want to do reasonable/practical etc. If the conservation officer doesn't agree what are my options?

 

[15C Mike]

I forgot to mention that it is in a consevation area, but the path is all behind a gate not really visable from the road

 

[Moo]

What does your neighbour think about it? If you both joined forces, your request might carry more weight with the council.

 

[15C Mike]

The neighbour has no problems, in fact as the earth bank is against the wall of his house, removing it will probably help reduce any risk of damp to his house. Are you suggesting that a letter from him with our letter to the conservation officer would be a good idea?

 

[Moo]

Or a joint letter?
If nothing else, it would reassure the powers-that-be that they wouldn't be getting involved with a territorial dispute (and you'd have the condition of the building to add your health-and-safety concerns - the council might even do the work for you!).

 

[Penners]

the earth bank is against the wall of his house, removing it will probably help reduce any risk of damp to his house.

I think Moo's idea of a joint letter is a good one. However, just one point - are you sure that removing this 4ft earth bank from the wall of your neighbour's house won't have any effect on its stability? Will you be exposing the bottom of his foundations?

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

From my reading that's an earth bank 1 foot high and 4 foot wide.

The neighbour agrees to removal of the soil. This is just a gardening job surely? Don't get involved with the red tape, just get a barrow and get digging! If any briefcase weilding officials lean over the wall and ask qestions just tell them you're planting a potager, or to really wind them up, a leylandii thicket.

 

[Penners]

You're right, Andrew - sorry. That being the case, I agree with your view.

 

[biffvernon]

When you do pave the path, make sure the rain can soak in through the gaps and into the soil as it does now. Don't use concrete or anything that will create an impervious surface that will require drains.