Commercial Car Workshop in domestic garage

[akkers]

I live in a street and the house opposite has 2 adjoining garages. The garages were used for parking for as long as I can remember. Last year the house was sold and immediately the new owner rented out the house to E Europeans. However, the he knocked down the wall and turned the 2 garages into one big one with a pit. On seeing this I suspected that he may well be planning on a repair workshop; I asked him but he said that it was for personal use. He has no planning permission. I wrote to the local planning dept but they did not reply to my letter.

Several months down the line, he has, on average one car per day, turning up which he repairs in the garage. The people coming are, currently, his relatives and friends and no doubt money is being exchanged. However, other people have started. I can see this turning into a fully-blown commercial workshop, as I feared.

What are my options and how can I force the planning dept to look into this? I fear for the value of my house as I can expect noise level and no. of people increasing.

 

[big-all]

ask your self how much inconvenience you are having
is it any more difficult to park
is there any more noise
any more pollution
if the answer isn't substantially worse then what would you think they can take action on

 

[JohnD]

change of use

commercial rates

the income tax is a different matter.

 

[theoldun]

Try the Planning Enforcement Officier.
oldun

 

[paulf1976]

And/or speak to your local councillor, there are elections coming up so they will be keen to stir!

 

[akkers]

Actually the guy is using the garages to repair his friends' cars. We have had recovery trucks drop off broken-down/accident cars in the early hours. The recover trucks make a racket. Also the guy will do a quick repair job for his friends sometimes in teh middle of night.

Personally I am concerned about the noise and the no. of people who are gathering in the street. This will get worse as the business takes off.

I am amazed that the planning dept have not done anything about this even though they are aware. What do have to do? Write a petition? Yes, I am considering meeting with the local counciller.

 

[big-all]

phone environmental health at your council
keep a diary and take dated and timed pictures
if you can't set up the date and time pan to the tv and and activate whichever button will display the live date and time or capture it from your computer screen

 

[akkers]

I have taken picture whenever I see the work taking place. However, I can only that when I am home. I already have about pictures of about a dozen different cars being repaired here over the last few months.