Two
ladies, sisters, bought the bungalow next to mine shortly after Joe died and
they couldn’t wait to make alterations. Three days after moving in they had all
the lovely trees removed – not just cut down but REMOVED, roots and all. The
hedge that divided our properties at the front was also removed, with lots of
drilling and digging in the process. What was responsible for my privacy was
removed and there was nothing I could do about it since I didn’t own a single
leaf.
As
if that wasn’t bad enough, work began on the actual building. The idea was to
turn the loft into a bedroom, extend the kitchen, scrap what was adjoining the
house and replace with a small conservatory type construction. What they didn’t
tell me was the intention to have a window/door on the ‘loft’ reconstruction which
meant my privacy would completely disappear. At one time I could have sunbathed
naked in my garden, unseen by any neighbours. Now I can’t be so bold even if I
wanted to – not with that window/door people can look out of and no trees to
hide me.
I
can see it with my own eyes now that a lot of the work is done, almost six
months of it, and I can tell you that I am not a happy bunny. The bungalow no
longer exists in its former state and I have yet to learn what the folk think
on the other side of the house.
Every
day we have been surrounded by workmen’s high-sided vans that park here all
day. And cars! Some cars are parked all night and we have no idea who they
belong to. Our road used to be so quiet, too ... but things were like that 25
years ago. Anything goes now!
An
interesting point was raised by a few neighbours ... had planning permission been
obtained for the work? Of course, I can’t answer that question but the view of
many is that neighbours are normally consulted if work of this sort was given
permission. Well I certainly wasn’t informed and according to neighbours
neither were they.
Oh my goodness, think of the upset if they were right. The intolerable noise that went with the alterations was bad enough, I can’t imagine how awful it would be if they were forced to tear it all down.
Oh my goodness, think of the upset if they were right. The intolerable noise that went with the alterations was bad enough, I can’t imagine how awful it would be if they were forced to tear it all down.
Sounds like a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteOMG Valerie, just the part about the new neighbors having the all the lovely trees removed made me both mad and very sad. I mean, how could they do such a heartless thing, to remove trees that have been standing there for years and years?
ReplyDeleteYou're right, I wonder if they did get planning permission before they started? That's a very good question.
And I feel for you about all the noise and commotion you and your other neighbors have had to put up with over the past six months. The city of Philadelphia has been (for the past 8 months) constructing a ten-story parking garage only half a block from my apartment building, so the noise has been just awful. It's starts very early in the morning and goes on until mid-afternoon. And god only knows how much longer it's going to be before they're finished, but it doesn't look like it's going to be soon.
Hope you had a lovely and peaceful weekend, my friend!
X
I hope things get better. I love how quiet my neighborhood is and would hate for some one new move in to be noisy. I heard the people who rented my house before I brought it were noisy and had the cops there a lot. My neighbors have told my mom and I that they are glad we are there now and are so quiet.
ReplyDeleteRon, the loss of those trees was particular upsetting. It seemed such a heartless thing to do at any time. Some of my regular birds have stopped coming because of it and you know how that upsets me. Your noise problem must be heaps worse than mine so I feel for you. I think all walls should be soundproof.
ReplyDeleteI would much rather live in a bungalow surrounded by trees than a remodeled fancy schmancy house. We would make great neighbors, watching birds together....or if we wanted, being naked in our own backyards, HA.
ReplyDeleteLOL, we could have fiun, kden. Give me trees every time!
ReplyDeleteGood grief, how awful! If we need to get the most minor work done on our house, we have to get three of our neighbors to approve it by signing the appropriate form. My sympathies Valerie. Very naughty of them not to even tell you what they were going to do, and very inconsiderate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! It sounds like you have a problem there, privacy is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the city. I would have been quite upset about the trees and the hedge, myself!
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope it's all done very soon, so that everybody can have their peace :D
ReplyDeleteSJ Quaills, I am praying that the end of the problem is nigh but I think the neighbours have a lot of internal work to get done.... stairs for instance, in order to reach a new bedroom in a transformed loft... etc.
ReplyDeleteOuch!!! Not good that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a nightmare, I agree. I'm so sorry to read this Val. I've had more than my share of neighbors from hell over the years. Unfortunately in my experience, they usually go from bad to worse. You have my sincere sympathy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Geraldine, I need all the sympathy I can get. Right now there is a machine droning outside my window. Goodness only knows what it's doing. Have you moved yet
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about this, Val. What a pain in the you know what. Hang in there and I hope it's over soon. Take care.
ReplyDelete