Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Front garden dug up and concreted without notice
We are seeking some advice please.
We got home from work yesterday to find that our entire front shared garden had been dug up and half of it cemented for the installment of a bin refuse. There are three flats in our building - two privately owned (we're private), and one council. Neither of the private owners were notified of this work, which was apparently done at the request of the council tenant living in the ground flat. The building freehold is owned by the council.
When we moved in two years ago we cleared the garden of weeds, dug it over, and had been looking after it since. I planted a large number of bulbs and perennial plants over the course of last year, ready for spring. All of these are now gone.
We have lodged a formal complaint with Homes For Haringey but were told they could not stop work until they had investigated the complaint and would "rectify" the situation if found to be at fault. How can you replace a season's worth of growing?
I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? And if there is anything that you think we should be doing?
Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Aleece on
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Again, thanks for the support. The size of the space doesn't meet requirements for planning permission, and it was very interesting to read about the permeable surfacing - thank you. We're awaiting an investigation by the council. The private owner/occupiers upstairs have offered to do whatever is needed to support the complaint.
If we'd known, at the very least I could have relocated all the plants...
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I had the manager from the refuse collection around to my flat once after making a complaint. He told me that your gravel on my front yard was against health and safety and that the bin men should not drag the bins across it. He said I should instead have concrete on my front yard. I was not impressed as I strongly believe we should keep our front gardens. Perhaps they concreted because it's what the council want us to do to help the bin men move the bins more easily!
I don't get why the council would spend money doing this to the front yard given all the budget cuts!
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The sad thing is that we already have a concreted drive that the bin men can drag the bins across... we need more green in this world.
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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More generally on the urban planning/green theme you may find this interesting. Urban planning based on 'mobility, sustainability and identity' - in Curitiba : Brazil
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Gravel over concrete in your front yard is excellent for security. Even just gravel by itself.
The problem is with the bins, not our front yards. They could have made the wheels bigger and better but that would have made the bins more expensive.
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Permalink Reply by Kamila on
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Haha. The Council is not paying for this. They probably make money out of it. Works to leaseholders' properties come off the service charge.
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Yep, and we all get to pay just a little. They only need to consult us when it is over £250 a property.
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I also received a letter last night from the council instructing me to remove the slimline water butt that I had purchased from them.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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I thought of this post this morning while listening to a discussion on the radio about how government wants house builders to allow for more water to drain directly into the ground. I think what's happened to you is outrageous, I'm not surprised you are so angry and upset, both about the decision to do this and the fact you had no notice what so ever. Best of luck to you n trying to get some answers.
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As a leaseholder you should have been informed. The Council knows this. It must have cost more than £250 per flat and therefore subject to a Section 20 notice. Carry on complaining and good luck.
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You're exactly right. A bill was received. We should have an outcome by next Wednesday. Thanks for the support.
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