The Framers Forum

I had an unscheduled visit from a planning enforcement officer yesterday. He told me that he wanted to see my 'new shed', to make sure it complied with all current legislation. (it would appear we have a 'do-gooder' in our parish who delights in making life as awkward as possible for other villagers AND the planning authorities.) When I pointed at the only shed I own (a 12 x 10 timber shed such as you might buy from a garden centre),that we erected three years ago, he seemed confused. I let him do his stuff - measuring roof height, distance from boundaries etc, and when he'd finished, asked him if he'd been sent to look at where I'm planning to put my NEW shed

As we were walking up the garden towards the site, I started talking dimensions. "It'll be 2.05m from the boundary, 3.95m to the roofline, 2.35m to the eaves, 6.4m long and 3.8m wide." He laughed and just said "You've done your homework, I won't need to come back"

When I asked if I could see the documentation that had caused him to make the visit, he told me that wouldn't be possible. So here's my question....

Under the freedom of information act, can I enforce the local council to show me any letters or information they may have received concerning my property,in order to identify the person who made the original complaint? I believe I know who it is already, but just want to be certain.

I would think that due to data protection laws they would be able to give you the information with any details regarding whoever complained censored from the document.

You will always find a "do-gooder/idiot" in every village Tim. They are sad people who's lives are so empty they need to carry out such acts to make them feel important. As annoying as it is I would say don't waste your time on such low life, I'm sure you can channel your energy on much more positive tasks.

How is the web site coming on?

Best wishes and good luck.
Arthur.

I also had an unannounced visit from a planning enforcement officer just over a month ago. Somebody had complained about a pergola I have built in my garden and the planning enforcement officer made it quite clear he could not tell me who made the complaint. Fortunately, the pergola is well within allowances.

Steve

If they were allowed to grass up the snitches then no-one would ever complain for fear of a thick ear.

I remember when I were a lad I had some chickens. Not even full-size chickens. Two bantams in a little run. Someone (never found out who) complained. Mum had a visit by an official from the local council who was highly suprised as from the report they got, they were expecting 100s of the feathered fiends. I hope whoever the grass was they got a rollocking for wasting council time.

If you think you know who the grass is, then next time you see them make a point of saying how pleased you are that someone informed the local council because now it means you can have 3 sheds twice the size of the original, and to think if some well meaning person hadn`t reported your little shed in the first place you would never have known!

if you really want to cause a fuss - apply for a semi permanent caravan in your garden to house 'travelling' customers!! that should do it.

I've since found out that three other residents were visited on the same day for 'plannning violation issues'. All were absolutely perfect, so it was a complete time-waster as far as the council are concerned. Needless to say they're not best pleased. We all (the four 'violators') think it's the same bloke who reported us, but as yet have no proof, We're making sure to ask him every time we see him 'What do you think of XXX's new shed then - isn't it great!" and waiting for the response.

Finished the floor of my new shed today - I ache in places I didn't even know I had places........

Back to framing tomorrow for a rest!

you stick with it tim - we support you - you'll find its only one sad b*****d in the village - all villages have em!

That sounds like a great shed Tim, I could do with a bit extra space, be sure to post a few photos when it goes up
Adam/Bagpuss

Tim,
It sounds like you will have a nice size shed/workshop very soon.

I'm very impressed that you blew the inspector guy away with your knowledge and preparations. I hope you and your neighbours get to impress on the dobber that he is a darn nuisance!

Did you know on Sky TV there is actually a Shed channel? For some strange reason the progs are mostly about fishing. My shed ahs a few leaky spots, but it never gets that damp.

there is a program on discovery shed, called shedheads too

Do you think "shedheads" have a laugh on their forum about people who use sheds for doing picture framing?

What about garage dwellers & spare room users weekly ?

thos with a shed are in good company - this trevor bayliss inventor of the wind - up radio

Trevor Bayliss was taking a chance lighting his pipe with all the wind about! (flatulence)
Strange the intricacies of the English language

Sure you're familiar with all this, but for anyone else interested,

Sheds and Greenhouses

Neither Planning Permission or Building Regulation approval is required provided that:


Sheds and greenhouses do not cover more than half of the area of the garden; not including the area occupied by the house.
It contains no sleeping accommodation and the floor area does not exceed 15 square metres.
No point is less than one metre from a boundary.
It is not more than 3m high for a flat roof, or 4m with a ridged roof.
No part projects beyond any wall of the house that faces a road.
The outbuilding is for use only by those who occupy the house.
Building Regulations do state that structures built of combustible material (i.e. a wooden shed) must be at least 2 metres from the main house.

thats useful - just been outside to check my 'sheds' are inorder but all ok - one (of the three) is quite close to a boundary , but including the hedge is within limits . We also have a BSH but that was built before planning and building regs

Custard wrote:Sure you're familiar with all this, but for anyone else interested,

Oops. mine's going to have a sofa (bed) in it, and will be over 20 Sq m.........

Why the sofa bed you ask.......well, it's also going to be soundproofed, and have a Bose surround sound system and projector tv/cinema in it (I just happen to have all the kit lying around, seriously)

All the electronics will be in the roof void, and one end wall will be the projection screen. Laptop or touchscreen to control it all will be above a workbench somewhere. Haven't got round to that much internal detail yet.