Council have poured a concrete slab up to boundary

muck.savage

Hi. Long story, so apologies. The council CPO'd some land off a farmer to extend a cycle route in the area. The council widened the road, put in cycle route and built new wall with 2 gated entrances for farmer (fair enough).

As well as that, he has a derelict house on the other side of the road (not interfering with cycle track). That has also got a new wall with 2 driveways done by council. It never had a wall in 100 or so years. It looks like they'll be clearing all around the house as well and looks like they've put in drainage.

Now, my property comes in. The aforementioned field stretches along our estate and my house has a boundary with it. A few years ago he put a new entrance to the field which requires him to drive around the estate (I've been told he has no right of way). A few days ago, the council put in a concrete slab (for a sheep yard), approx 6m x 10m, without telling anyone in estate. Then yesterday, a tarmac contractor (paid by council)put down what is essentially a road (maybe 40m) around the back of the estate for the farmer to get to his entrance. It was essentially a grass area that no one used.

The corner of the concrete slab comes right up to my boundary. Is there any requirement for it to be a certain distance away? I

There is a sense of disbelief at how much work is being done for this farmer (turns out he's a former county councilor). Most are grumbling but don't want to make a fuss. But considering it is directly impacting my property I would love to know if I have any legal right or reason to complain to council.

Thank you for reading.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058361129/council-have-poured-a-concrete-slab-up-to-boundary

What's the status of the roads in the estate. If this a private estate, or are the roads, lights etc maintained by the council.

A few years ago he put a new entrance to the field which requires him to drive around the estate (I've been told he has no right of way).

Who told you he has no right of way? Typically right of way is granted to roads. If the roads are accessible by the public, vistors, etc then the farmer can too.

A few days ago, the council put in a concrete slab (for a sheep yard), approx 6m x 10m, without telling anyone in estate. Then yesterday, a tarmac contractor (paid by council)put down what is essentially a road (maybe 40m) around the back of the estate for the farmer to get to his entrance. It was essentially a grass area that no one used.

Who owns the land that this slab is on? Why are the council doing the work.

The corner of the concrete slab comes right up to my boundary. Is there any requirement for it to be a certain distance away?

It's on his side of the boundary? Then it's his property. No issue with doing work on his property.
Likewise, there is no issue with you property being on the other side of his boundary.

There is a sense of disbelief at how much work is being done for this farmer (turns out he's a former county councilor). Most are grumbling but don't want to make a fuss. But considering it is directly impacting my property I would love to know if I have any legal right or reason to complain to council.

The above is not very clear. The farmers property was CPO'd. He lost an asset and deserves to be compensated. If he negotiated work in lieu of payment, there's nothing wrong with that. Is the grumbling that he is compensated at all, the compensation is excessive?
You will have legal rights if you property is infringed, But its not clear what the impact is, other than saying its imapcting your detail.

AndrewJRenko

Look through the minutes of Council meetings over the past couple of years to see exactly what decision was made about the CPO. You could also submit a FOI request for more information. Talk to your local Councillors too.

muck.savage

Thanks for replies. I was getting hung up on all the works being carried out but my main concern was the concrete slab. I have visions of a shed going up instead of a yard, but I realize that would require planning permission.

@Mellor re the road. There was no road around the estate to get to the field's new entrance. Just a grassy, gravelly area. I guess I just thought it was excessive seeing this path/road put down for someone to get to their field (there are 2 other gates which are more accessible). And thanks for all the answers in your post.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122427129#Comment_122427129

If the cycle way crosses the old entrance it was possibly deemed safer to have another access. But they can’t just put a road on property of the estate. But I’m guessing shared areas were handed over to the council.

And unfortunately it’s possible the concrete slab is for a shed. Exemptions exist for sheds and the like to be built without planning. Within certain conditions