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A GRAN came home to find her neighbour had put up scaffolding in her garden without warning – and can now peer into her bedroom.
Gill Hayes-Newington, 90, is locked in a bitter row with her neighbour Dr Andrew Jones.
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Roofers put up the scaffolding while working on Andrew’s Grade II-listed home.
But Gill said the scaffolding blocks her view, crowds out her flowers and overlooks the bedroom of her own listed cottage.
The structure is mostly in Andrew’s garden, but a few struts have been planted on Gill’s side of the wall between their homes.
Andrew claims he actually owns a thin strip of land on Gill’s side wall and that he warned her in advance about the works.
But Gill said she knew nothing about it until she came home – and is threatening legal action.
Retired social worker Gill said: “How would you react if you came home to find your neighbour’s scaffolding in your back garden?
“The fact of the matter is it is discourteous. He has violated and invaded my privacy.
“The scaffold blocks my bedroom window and my neighbour can peer right in – they can’t just play around with me like this.
“It is egotistical for them to assume this is okay and that I didn’t have plans, such as a garden party with my friends.”
But Andrew said: “My partner and I of course conferred with Gill about the essential maintenance to my roof.
“Gill knew the work to my roof was essential. It is a little complicated because my home extends to her side of the wall.
“Technically the scaffold, though her side of the wall, is in line with my house.
“I am very sorry that Gill is distressed by the work to my roof and the scaffold in her garden.
“But as she knows, the work is essential in order to maintain the Grade II-listed property.
“Furthermore she even knows the builders who are doing the work as they have done jobs to her home too.
“If she is taking legal action, I don’t think it will go far.”
Know your rights
IF your neighbour has put up scaffolding on your property or overlooking it without permission, it could be trespass.
They could be ordered to tear down the scaffolding – and pay you damages and costs.
That means their building works might not be finished even if they have planning permission.
But your neighbour could apply to court for an Access Order under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992.
The order lets your neighbour put scaffolding up on your land within conditions set by the court.
Access Orders are typically only granted for essential repair works rather than home improvements.
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