Crosswords4 mins ago
What can I do?
My neighbour is burning wood in their property which adjoins mine. The chimney is very low and because of this the smoke is pouring over into my back garden and also into my house when I have the windows open. I can't hang washing out and I can't keep my windows closed.
I confronted the neighbour about them re-opening their chimney without consulting me, and they expressed very little concern and continued burning wood. I spoke to the police and the fire brigade who, while concerned, couldn't do anything about it as the fire is in a private house and under control. The council advised that I talk to Environmental Health who said they would have to assess the overall impact of the smoke pollution on the area by way of a three month study, which they won't do as I'm the only complainant.
I'm being prevented from living in my own home by an inconsiderate neighbour.
What else can I do?
I confronted the neighbour about them re-opening their chimney without consulting me, and they expressed very little concern and continued burning wood. I spoke to the police and the fire brigade who, while concerned, couldn't do anything about it as the fire is in a private house and under control. The council advised that I talk to Environmental Health who said they would have to assess the overall impact of the smoke pollution on the area by way of a three month study, which they won't do as I'm the only complainant.
I'm being prevented from living in my own home by an inconsiderate neighbour.
What else can I do?
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by Skids. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.There was a similar post on here a few weeks back - there is apparently a minimum height for chimneys, worth checking. Sounds like his wood is not cured if it's making lots of smoke - why does he need a fire on during the summer, anyway?
Btw they don't have to consult you about opening their chimney, it's their house, my neighbours have just done the same.
Btw they don't have to consult you about opening their chimney, it's their house, my neighbours have just done the same.
Have you checked if there is anything like a smoke control order on the property, very common in many areas, might be worth checking with the council specifically.
If you own your property, smoke control orders show up in the usual local search done (council complete it) and more than likely if there is one affecting you then it affects them (done by area).
Could be worth checking if you have the documentation there.
More info here...
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/
They have a guide too...
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/locations.php
If you own your property, smoke control orders show up in the usual local search done (council complete it) and more than likely if there is one affecting you then it affects them (done by area).
Could be worth checking if you have the documentation there.
More info here...
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/
They have a guide too...
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/locations.php
try hitting your council with the 1990 Environmental Protection Act
http://www.shropshire...56C988025756100532C84 scroll down to 6, smoke from a domestic chimney causing a nuisance
also good info here
http://www.nfh.org.uk...on_act_1990/index.php
http://www.shropshire...56C988025756100532C84 scroll down to 6, smoke from a domestic chimney causing a nuisance
also good info here
http://www.nfh.org.uk...on_act_1990/index.php