Owning your own home

@Vince Cool story bro

Folkestone!

@hugo7 our driveway (if you can remember it) didn't need planning permission but as part of getting the vehicle crossover done we did have to demonstrate that water would not be running off onto the road. Since it was during covid I had to film myself with a hosepipe demonstrating that it soaked away into our land.

The blocks have small gaps between them for water to drain, and there's a water catching thingie along the boundary with a grille on top that drains into the ground, although there isn't a proper soakaway. I just took a big fuckoff SDS drill and auger bit and drilled as deep as I could through the drain hole, then filled it with gravel.

My video showed it draining away, but I expect if I'd let it run longer, the hole would've filled up and it would've overflowed. Still, I think it's better than most people do.

Council website has all the rules and measurements etc.

Thank you for such an in-depth response!

We came home from holiday a few weeks ago to find my in-laws constructing a giant Wendy house, which is great(ish) except I’m fairly certain it breaks several planning rules (over 2.5m height, located in front garden, less than 1m to boundary), which means it requires planning permission.
I assume the chances of being caught are extremely low (unless a neighbour complains) but what happens if we are?

You will have to modify it so that it complies, take it down or get retrospective permission.

My brother fell foul of this recently and had to shorten a large outdoor garage so that it complied.

I do actually. I was going to get in touch with your guy once we've spoken to the person round the corner from us.

That's a really helpful post. Normally I wouldn't be fussed about engaging with the council but we have a restrictive covenant against drives. So even though ours has been in place for 30yrs my OH lives in fear it will be enforced.

Also thanks again for the stones. The footings of the Playhouse are holding up, both in the drought and the rain.

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Lol.

Missed this post before I posted.

I assume the chances of being caught are extremely low (unless a neighbour complains) but what happens if we are?

Knowing what people are like about this stuff in the UK, one of your neighbours WILL dob you in.

Are they building it in your front garden or theirs?

Ours!

It was discussed as a small thing but it’s fucking massive.

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Lols, looks like you’re falling foul too!

ijdgaf

Seems to be in keeping with the neighbourhood style so I reckon you'd be OK anyway ;-)

We’re on pretty good terms with most of them, except the weird builder and wife who are probably very familiar with planning 🙈.

Or you were on good terms with your neighbors before you built the monstrosity in your front garden and ruined house prices...

Going to take a contrary position and say I think it's fun, a nice gesture and your kid will love it.

Just enjoy it and don't worry about the neighbours until something comes up.

Crikey, forget what the neighbours think. You dob them into the council!!

Ours is in the back of the back garden with at least 1m all around and (not that it matters legally) is about in line with the height of the neighbours fence.

Does being a temporary structure have any bearing?

Hard to see how anyone could get offended about that. I was imagining a smaller front garden with a railing and no high hedge.

Does being a temporary structure have any bearing?

Yes. But more than 28 days even a temporary structure may need planning (depending on size, proximity to boundary etc).

However, I think planning enforcement have other things to worry about, it's clearly a play structure. I wouldn't worry unless you get a communication from the council. Do you have a back garden it could be relocated to if you had to?

If its staying how about some form of army camouflage netting?

Tempting tbh

You say that but the only reason I thought to look it up is because the council just removed a summerhouse from someone’s front garden!

Could go round the back but not as visible to monitor toddlers murdering each other.

Could do the whole garden for some shade.