Forum Topic

nosey neighbours

I live in Argyle Road i own a couple of companies and park a van and car out side house in rear of garden I have a home office which is brick built and legal its covered by all planning consents our neighbours have caused nightmares calling council we also have a local Councillor that lives on Vallis way you know who you are walks past my house and gawps in towards house each time he passes If any one on here has a problem or lives around us please stop going to council and wasting my council tax, 3 months ago we had two planning officers parked outside house all day to see how many vehicles come to our house a day. Not only is this costing wages they also done it in hire car. I have two young children we are a family not students. I've had enough of it. I've had photos taken from houses across the road its a joke people please man up and tell me your problems. if you have nothing better to worry about then knowing what im doing your very lucky. We are here to stay PLEASE JUST A GET A LIFE OR A HOBBY

Mark Ryan ● 5090d39 Comments

You know from the words you have quoted as being used and the situation you have described, I bet someone suspects you are part of the "Tamacing community".  Perhaps that would explain the hostility?

Amy Brookes ● 5085d

Amy my van is not only new its sign written and always kept clean all the time. Maybe because I have a logo with a shamrock on it?but never mind I've had my rant and I have bigger fish to fry and its summer and weather is fantastic. Not going to waste any-more time on this.

Mark Ryan ● 5085d

Fully agree. I am a keen photographer and have been approached on more than one occassion by 'jobsworths' who told me to 'stop taking photographs' (they have no right of course, in the majority of cases, if I am in a public place). My reaction, after telling them, should they wish, to call the police, is to take their photo 'for my own records' :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 5085d

funny enough the people that seem to see everything im doing saw nothing when my vehicle was broken in to, or when a tyre was damaged. strange that!We have cctv that covers our house, i have on more then one occasion been out to people loitering around. As Vallis way is a great cut through from Copley are not that every one there is up to no good there are some very good people there. We do have a lot of people riding around on bikes looking in car windows looking the the chance to steal anything times are hard these days and people do anything to get by.this is what annoys me more im looking for a local group that works with these people to help. But im spending more time dealing with stupid complaints to council etc etc. 

Mark Ryan ● 5085d

That's a very good point Peter - busybodies (especially 'official' busybodies) absolutely hate it if you turn the tables on them and starting photographing them in return.

Tony Colliver ● 5086d

As a parent to my children i will do want ever it takes to protect them from harm. I don't know where that picture will end up.

Mark Ryan ● 5086d

Mark,You have a lot of sympathy here and people recognise your enterprise. However do not fall to provocation. Someone could provoke you and then say I told you so!! People do stupid things and we can all get wound up. But Just take a photo of the photographer and also any spooks sat outside in cars. These things can eat us up inside and i would guess that making this public has added some tension for yourself. so take care and try and enjoy family time.Peter

Peter Chadburn ● 5086d

Calm down, you'll get yourself in a state.Remember if you have done nothing wrong, you'll have nothing to fear.Please don't take this badly, but you seem to think that you can do whatever you like, you can't.  We live in a society that is governed by rules and laws.We must follow them, if we want to or not.Just because you run a business does not mean you are exempt or can choose what applies to you and what doesn't.  In your previous post, you've said "i will take the camera off them and dispose of it. i will promise you "That, to me, says you cannot control yourself and resort to violence when things don't go your way.  Maybe this attitude is visible to others around you?

Amy Brookes ● 5086d

i can insure you if ay one and i mean anyone takes photos of my children over a wall i will take the camera off them and dispose of it. i will promise you

Mark Ryan ● 5086d

Please be careful Mark. There is nothing (legally) you can do about someone taking photographs of you or your property if they are 1) taking the image from a public place and 2) not invading your privacy (the law is quite wooly in this area and you have to prove distress) by so doing.Equally, there is no law against taking photos of your children (same rules as above apply), not every photographer has sinister intent so, please, as I said, be careful.

Nigel Brooks ● 5086d

Every party involved at council has been warned that  my property is entered or if I see any one taking pictures over my wall My kids could be in our garden, I don't think I will be responsible for my actions.

Mark Ryan ● 5086d

Surely there are no degrees of legality Peter.Either something is legal or it is illegal.

Keith Iddon ● 5086d

That's proabably the only time that NO warrant should be required, when a crime is in process.I am trying to find the definitive list of those parties who may enter without a warrant. I know that when it was raised in the House of Lords last year, with a view to rationalising it, that there were 'over 1000'.

Nigel Brooks ● 5086d

The only need a warrant if you are doing something really illegal!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5086d

In truth 'they' could crawl all over your property anyway without a warrant. As I posted elsewhere, there are over 1000 'rights of entry' organisations ranging from HMRC to those who check to see that you are not keeping 'alien bees' (seriously). None of them need a warrant.

Nigel Brooks ● 5087d

I use the annex in rear of our garden as I have to small children---------------------------------------Maybe it is part of the 'beds in sheds' investigations.....Think yourself lucky, Mark. If we had changes in the laws as some round here want, they would be crawling all over your property without need of a warrant.

Jeremy Hanson ● 5087d

That's the problem though isn't it?Some people are determined to be tee'ed off no matter what.(I once had a complete set of tyres on my van destroyed (by drilling big holes in the side walls) when we lived in South Ealing years ago.  Presumably the work of a 'tee'ed off' neighbour.  I wouldn't mind, but it was parked directly outside my own property!)I do wish that people could be a little more accommodating of their fellow man sometimes.

Tony Colliver ● 5087d

Enjoy, but listen out for sounds of tunneling and unexpected periscopes :-)Actually, I empathise with you. My former next door neighbour used to park his panel van on the street. I had no problem with it, the bloke had to earn a living, but the 'moans' from other 'neighbours' were constant.Live and let live; don't 'tee me off' and I don't have a problem - simples.

Nigel Brooks ● 5087d

I give up with trying with these people we are as a family enjoying ealing and our house. Its sunny and its the weekend Im off to sit in the garden with the kids

Mark Ryan ● 5087d

I think you may well have hit the nail on the head.

Mark Ryan ● 5087d

Actually, they want the houses to be filled with identical cutouts of themselves (and nobody else...)

Tony Colliver ● 5087d

And indeed the council do actually have clear written guidance regarding the councils duty to continue to respond to "vexatious" complainants.

Tony Colliver ● 5087d

I have never understood the propensity of people to lay claim to their own "personal" bit of public highway.

Tony Colliver ● 5087d

Peter I know what your saying but I've personally had enough of it What do these people want houses in multiple occupation or families

Mark Ryan ● 5088d

Mark and JohnThis is all very sad. It sounds like someone needs to mediate this and to assure John that you are honest hard working and decent, In fact the ideal enterprising person that his party endorses. John maybe you have got the wrong end of the stick here. I know we can often get the wrong idea about things. Life is just like that. This is a beautiful day and I know your road and area is so lovely. Life is to short for this all. Neighbour disputes can turn a happy home into hell for all concerned. Is there someone that both parties can trust???take care allPeter

Peter Chadburn ● 5089d

I'm sure as they then at end of day demanded to look around our house Which obviously I refused. You only pay business rates if more of the property is being Used as business premises. I use the annex in rear of our garden as I have to small children And Im lucky enough to have a few quite successful businessesSo I choose to work from home some days So I can get to see them. If this is a crime I'm guilty

Mark Ryan ● 5089d

Are you sure it was council planning officers outside your house?  Presumbably, they would already have had the knowledge of your approved planning permission of a home office and would have checked your business council tax for confirmation.  Maybe it was another department.

Charles Campbell ● 5089d

It's harrasment if I come down the road a d stand out side your house.I'm sure wouldn't like it.I have a young family that are settled in ealing I also employ quite a lot of Local people and support local business We have spoken to council about this and I will make a Official complaint if this carries on. I suggest you get a hobby or find something better to do Instead wondering what other people are doing.

Mark Ryan ● 5089d

It's strange though that if you look carefully We have CCTV that will clearly show you Standing there clearly looking directly in towards our house. If you recall Mr Popham that first time I ever met you You were talking a photo of my van. The very next day we had visit from planning office That I believe you have some kind of connection.They sat outside our house all day to see if we were running A business from the house Yes I have home office I also have another office and commercial unit

Mark Ryan ● 5089d

As a local Councillor who lives in Vallis Way I read this entry with interest. When I walked to the shops in Pitshanger Lane earlier during the week, I never expected it to end up the EalingToday forum. But that's life.I remember that I stopped at the end of Vallis Way near the junction with Argyle Road while my wife crossed the road and back to post a letter. I also waited for her after I crossed the Argyle Road as she was a little behind me. Councillors spend a lot of time walking down roads delivering leaflets and looking at the state of the pavements. We also walk to the shops as I did earlier in the week. The fact that we walk past a house, does not mean that we are "gawping" at it.

John Popham ● 5089d

MarkIt is hard because by our own reaction we can make things worse. Only you can create the Olive Branch. I can see that you are really angry but try and see whether there is a way to turn this on it's head by talking with the good neighbours and how much you love the area. I really feel for your situation as neighbour disputes typically get messy. But people are odd and there is usually one in every road. sadly this one is obsessed by you. If it is perhaps one department in the council that has been involved in this, then maybe a letter of concern to the head of the department could be in order. But good luck with this.Peter

Peter Chadburn ● 5090d

Must be a nightmare for you and your family Mark.You'd think that the council officers, having investigated would tell the complainer if he spouts off again that they have fully investigated all his claims and there is no case to answer and that any more investigations by them in the next,say 2 years,could be considered harassment.

Keith Iddon ● 5090d

Mark,Whilst I sympathise with your frustration, if this bothers you and your family that much, I personally would do one of two things:1) Doorstep ALL your neighbours. Go with a friendly smile, tell them what your concers are and ask them if they have any issues with you that you could possibly work out togetherOR2) Write an open letter to all neighbours and invite them to call round / phone / email if they have something they'd like to discussI am sure that this course of action will help lots!!

Bud Richards ● 5090d

People are snobby about vans. My dad had one many years ago and the neighbours complained to the council and this was on a council estate! My opposite neighbour parks his plain white van on the street and I've lost count of the number of other residents who've whinged to me about it. I just smile and say that I don't have a problem with it.

Susan Kelly ● 5090d

It's really petty and we are employing over 10 local people I have never had this before I lived in ascot and not a peep Thankfully I still Owen property there my wife feels so Paranoid of living in ealing It's shame really as other locals really nice The problem is I'm a kind of person if you upset me I upset you and dig my heels in

Mark Ryan ● 5090d

Blimey,it reminds me of those folk that want a CPZ so that they can park outside their own house. I used to have a neighbour in my old house in Perivale that did not like me parking in front of his house even when other people parked in front of mine. I always parked elsewhere. As he was an alcoholic i deduced that when drunk he might not see my car parked there and smash into it. Maybe he thinks you have 50 illegal immigrants at the bottom of the garden. In my road there are people with vans and other work related vehicles. So what they are earning a living. Sadly living in the Borough of Ealing leads us to confront some precious people who somehow live in a John Major world of warm beer and village cricket which somehow never existed. A Van is seen to be something that lowers the tone of the area but to me it says hard working and enterprising. Be cheerful with all the good neighbours!! and maybe even mention when people complain about the council make a joke of the fact that when some clown makes a complaint about you at least they act quickly and efficiently and waste plenty of council tax payers money which could be better spent on beds in sheds nearby!! good luck remember only a sense of humour can save you else you will end up as barmy as this other idiot!!take care and good luck.Peter

Peter Chadburn ● 5090d

Interesting you mention your van, does it have a company logo or looking a bit "worn"?Some people are a bit funny about works vehicles in a residential area.I don't know you or your neighbours or have any idea what the issues are, clearly someone is annoyed, but maybe this is why?

Amy Brookes ● 5090d

It's not we have had 6 visits from council for different things One of my company offices had a call From someone on the street that I know who they are And in there own words we don't like people like this on our street And we don't want van on my road

Mark Ryan ● 5090d

Mark, this post is a bit paranoid.

Amy Brookes ● 5090d