Help - Council Trying To Stop Me Parking My Cars On My Drive

Help - Council Trying To Stop Me Parking My Cars On My Drive

Author
Discussion

redgriff500

Original Poster:

27,671 posts

270 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Ok, so I live in a snotty area...

I am a builder so I have 2 P100 pick ups and a small van...

but I don't think that's the problem... I think it's because I also have 3 MX5's (1 supercharged, 1 turbo, 1 std) a VR6 and a Prelude Vtec.

However they are all tidy all MOT'd and all on my drive.

I have asked my immediate neighbours and they say they are happy enough.

However the council say I have 'a materially excess number, of what could normally be considered reasonably incidental to the occupation of the dwelling'

Well so what, I like cars...

I don't like looking at fat or ugly people but I don't get the council to try to ban them...

So has anyone come across this before and what should I do ?

BliarOut

72,857 posts

246 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Are they quoting a specific law to try and get you to do something about it? There is no legal basis that restricts how many cars you're allowed to have that I'm aware of.

LuS1fer

41,749 posts

252 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
That's a bloody big drive then.

pdV6

16,442 posts

268 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Feckwit killjoy interfering NIMBY control-freak feckwit council workers.

See you in the nearest clock tower...

Jared_m

252 posts

229 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Perhaps they're trying to suggest that the number of cars on the drive seems out of place for a normal property? Maybe they think you're running a B&B or something.

I'd tell them the cars are mine and I'm a car enthousiast. If they have a problem they can write their concerns citing a point the legal basis for their objection.

Edited by Jared_m on Thursday 3rd August 09:29

redgriff500

Original Poster:

27,671 posts

270 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Yes it has a big drive, that's why I bought it.

It is a 4 bed det. and I do live here alone (no wife or kids... that's how I can afford my toys !)

They say they have had complaints, as people don't like to look at them !!!

I don't like white cars or metros... but they won't ban them !

So the complaint is 'you have too many cars and people don't like to look at them'

I did point out that I could legally park them all in the road which would really piss everyone off and I'm tempted to do (wide, tree lined, no one EVER parks in the road) but whilst that got rid of them for a few months, now they are on my case again.

Jared_m

252 posts

229 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
In that case tell them to bugger off or come back citing what legislation exists denying your right to leave your cars on your property.

You could also say that although some people may find that many cars in one area as unsightly; the cars are kept in good condition and so any distaste towards them is subjective.

Also mention the HRA and then closely followed by harassment.


... Be reasonable, if you be a they'll prob try to slap you with an ASBO

pdV6

16,442 posts

268 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Ridiculous.

Were this a council estate with untaxed, uninsured, smouldering wrecks on your front lawn you can be sure any complaints would be dismissed as your human rights to own such cr4p would be infringed otherwise.

Tell 'em to show you the law that says that you can't keep your legally owned, insured and taxed vehicles on your own land.

Failing that, make good on your promise and park them all on the street... outside the councillors' houses.

BliarOut

72,857 posts

246 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
What does the letter say? I would be inclined to write a very short letter back asking which specific law they believe you are breaking.

GKP

15,099 posts

248 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Contact your MP and mention the local paper to him/her.

annodomini2

6,913 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Jared_m said:
Perhaps they're trying to suggest that the number of cars on the drive seems out of place for a normal property? Maybe they think you're running a B&B or something.

I'd tell them the cars are mine and I'm a car enthousiast. If they have a problem they can write their concerns citing a point the legal basis for their objection.

Edited by Jared_m on Thursday 3rd August 09:29


The most valid point, they want you to move them, unless they can cite legal issue and precendence tell them F*** off (politely of course!)

thinfourth

1,189 posts

228 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
It will be some old busy body that lives ten miles away who drove past your house once and is now complaining

Mr Whippy

29,922 posts

248 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
I'd buy a few more cars that are complete shitters and leave them all down the street

Dave

redgriff500

Original Poster:

27,671 posts

270 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Ok having re read their letter... which I'm fuming about...

They say that it's because 'Car Storage' is against the planning rules...

They want details of my mortgage, all the car info etc apparently it is illegal not to supply it all within 21 days...

Now I will admit that whilst they are all MOT'd, some are not taxed (although they have all been this year) as I get bored with one, I SORN it and tax another.

I thought that was my freedom of choice...

Of the 8 cars, at least 4 are taxed at any one time.

Which pisses me off too as I can only drive one at a time and I pay £740 min per year in road tax !

BliarOut

72,857 posts

246 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Gimme a min.... I'll draft a letter

GKP

15,099 posts

248 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
I take it all the V5s are in your name and at your home address?

redgriff500

Original Poster:

27,671 posts

270 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
GKP said:
I take it all the V5s are in your name and at your home address?


I was just thinking that... probably not as I only just moved here... better get that sorted fast...

no doubt something you can get fined for as well...

thinfourth

1,189 posts

228 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
redgriff500 said:
They want details of my mortgage, all the car info etc apparently it is illegal not to supply it all within 21 days...

Now I will admit that whilst they are all MOT'd, some are not taxed (although they have all been this year) as I get bored with one, I SORN it and tax another.

I thought that was my freedom of choice...


My mate who is married to a lass from the ukraine is looking at moving back to the ukraine with her

For more personnel freedom

morebeanz

3,283 posts

243 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Am I the only one that thinks it's a reasonable request by the council?

While I entirely uphold your right to invest in as many cars as you like, to do so without appropriate facilities seems a little rash. It doesn't surprise me at all that someone would ask the council to investigate.

I have had several experiences of living next to neighbours who DO run a business from home (without the relevant declarations, etc), and it can be very out of keeping with the neighbourhood.

That said, I would have thought a simple, polite response to their letter laying out your enthusiasm for cars and the absence of any money-making scheme ought to satisfy them completely.

pdV6

16,442 posts

268 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
redgriff500 said:

They say that it's because 'Car Storage' is against the planning rules...

But off-street parking isn't?

I think you'll be ok - the fact that they are all yours (and presumably documented so) and you can prove that they all get regular use should give lie to the "storage" claim. I also assume there's no business element with your fleet, i.e. they're all private vehicles that you choose to own and drive for 'social, domestic, pleasure and commuting' purposes?