Most recent activity
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Haven’t called HSE yet, just council and building control. The actual builders are a couple of nice Mexican guys and I’d worry HSE might screw them rather than the landlord? Also can HSE address the issue (them building something that will likely do damage to my property?) Lastly site is currently not as extreme as it was when they were digging. Might still call them it if no other options.
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small update after a few days of emailing + calling:
- Getting a councillor involved did speed up response time from the Planning Department.
- Planning Department will investigate but can't help with Building Regulations, which is the biggest concern (not the regulations, the sinkhole.) The extension needs planning permission too so hopefully they'll do something.
- Southwark Building Control say the developer is using private building control so they can't do anything now. This is frustrating because that private building control is probably for their planning application for a change of use of the top 2 floors, they did not do a planning application for this extension, nor for the soakaway. After some words on the phone, I got the name of the building control company they're using.
I need legal advice. A court injunction can stop the works on the basis that they don't have a party wall agreement, if the works are notifiable (I believe they are.) If they're acting unlawfully, I believe they should pay my legal fees. Recommendations for a good lawyer?
- Getting a councillor involved did speed up response time from the Planning Department.
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thnx all, v helpful. Have reported planning breach online, emailed planning officer and local councillor. Will report back. For your entertainment: an image of the sinkhole construction last week, before the soakaway crates were installed and covered. (Why acrow prop when you can try floating bricks?)
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dibs for a friend, I’ll dm tomorrow
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Thnx all, that’s v helpful, will chase planning and building control. In case the council is too slow (my experience hasn’t been great): can a party wall surveyor also stop building works if they’re notifiable? As they’re paid for by the other/building party, seems there’s not much to lose also engaging a party wall surveyor?
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last time I tried contacting building control, it took them 2 months to reply and nothing happened…
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I’m assuming I can’t afford a lawyer
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The commercial property next-door is doing major building works. They don't have planning permission, no party wall award (works are definitely notifiable, they've modified the foundations) and against building regulations (installing a soakaway within 2m from my building, causing major concerns for subsidence.) When I ask for plans, they lie, brush me off or intimidate me, including in front of my young child. I need a shark party wall surveyor. Any tips? I'm in SE16.
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dibs, sent you a dm
didn’t mean it in a policing way, was just wondering if that platform could make fundraising easier. I was also thinking about it in relation to governance, e.g. what if @Velocio doesn’t want to do all this on his own anymore. I wasn’t expecting that to become urgent so soon …