LEWISHAM COUNCIL PLANNING ENFORCEMENT DESPAIR

[mosy]

...[clip]...
Mosy raises a valid point but frankly, if it were I, then that would be way down on the checklist. Safety would come top.
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In principle I'd agree; in practice it depends on how much money one has going spare in the bank to pay both temp rental and mortgage for any length of time, such time being unknown. I don't have that sort of money. If I took on a contract in my name that I'd be responsible for with no way of paying other than a wing and a prayer, that in itself is illegal I think, plus I'd be chasing whoever, forever, the people who will try to worm out of anything they can in a blame-shifting scenario. I'd want it high up my list and the someone else's list as soon as that someone can be identified.

Without that sort of money in the bank, if one is effectively made homeless by the property being adjudged unsafe, then surely the council would be obliged to provide temporary housing,. What are the chances they'll say Yes or No, I've no idea, but again, I'd want that ball rolling as soon as poss. (Putting possessions in storage, also has to be paid for.)

[mosy]

Looking at the building control page on reporting a dangerous structure, it seems that anyone can report it, they don't have to live there. I will report it tomorrow, and if some more people also report it, it might be a quicker way of getting a response than a physical demo. Multiple complaints should do the trick.

https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/ ... cture.aspx

JRW, with Lord Summerisle's permission, can you or he post the address to quote. Also clearly visible grounds of import, so that multiple reports are not dismissed as complaints about a bit of muck on the pavement. Ta.

In the same vein, a petition could be started, e.g. "Should council's be allowed to ignore.....". including this case-specific example. I don't know what wording would have most effect, but the fact that one has been raised ought to underscore the seriousness of this case if made known to all officialdom involved with it.
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Maybe Admin would make this matter a sticky; perhaps as a new thread with the heading specific to possible actions that STF readers can get involved with, such as above and a demo if one is organised.

I'm pretty sure no STF readers at all would want to find themselves in these shoes so if readers can help, certainly some will want to.

[JRW]

Hi all, it is up to Lord Summerisle to decide, but I think it's a great idea. The excavation was visible from the pavement, so it isn't even a private matter. I have put my complaint in already, stating my concern that the manner of excavation, & lack of props to take the weight, is endangering lives upstairs.

[JRW]

Just checked, and if you search on the Lewisham planning database for 'excavation hardstanding', up it pops. Easy peasy.

[John H]

Matters are not helped by the error in the planning application details... Reading those you are led to believe planning consent was given and yet there is an appeal... Looking at the documents you find permission was refused. The appeals failed. The developer has no right to be carrying on. First step is an injunction. Then it becomes an arrestable matter!

[John H]

This matter should be raised here:

https://sydenham.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19293

Lord Summerisle…. you should attend and you should ask for support in here. The issue could be included in a general question on the failure of Lewisham to enforce planning and building regs rules.

[John H]

I just reported the building to Building Regs Control... What a painful experience that was... An inspector is going to be sent out. However.... in the usual blinkered fashion.... no account will be taken of the failed planning application.

[John H]

WOW! Lewisham claim the matter is a private property issue being overseen by a private company..."Greendoor Building Control and Specialist Services Ltd"... I told Lewisham they have a statutory duty since the property is clearly in danger of collapse....

When I phoned Greendoor they had changed their name... to Stroma.

I pointed out the development was an illegal one, since planning permission has been denied and appeals had failed to overturn that. They are supposed to come back to me...

No wonder Lord S is at his wits end. This is privatisation gone mad. The duty, so far as I know, lies with the Local Authority. They can only delegate supervision once planning consent is in place and even then... they are the final arbiters.

https://www.stroma.com/

telephone number 0191 375 3876

[JRW]

Much as I hate to support Lewisham..... It appears that the new permitted development laws have thrown building regs into chaos everywhere. I discovered via fighting the Monstrosity that developers can appoint their own building regs inspectors, rather than using the council ones, who seem to have no right to barge in. In fact, the building contractors if registered, can self-certify. The school developers have made private arrangements, and didn't lodge their certificates with Lewisham. We are supposed to trust that it is all kosher. Nuts.

[Ghlpc]

Can I just say, in spite of the bleak topic, and the obvious distress the situation is causing the OP, it's great to see so much support and advice from other members of the forum.

This is a great example of the positives this forum can have for the community and long may it continue.

[Pally]

Can I just say, in spite of the bleak topic, and the obvious distress the situation is causing the OP, it's great to see so much support and advice from other members of the forum.

This is a great example of the positives this forum can have for the community and long may it continue.

Agreed!

[John H]

Can I just say, in spite of the bleak topic, and the obvious distress the situation is causing the OP, it's great to see so much support and advice from other members of the forum.

This is a great example of the positives this forum can have for the community and long may it continue.

Agreed!

Meanwhile the private building control company has failed to return my call.

[Lord Summerisle]

Hi all and once again thanks. Your help and kindness is a real boost. We've this week had a chartered structural engineer inspect and his report instructs that although the building is not yet unsafe, the cracks and downward movement of the central walls are caused by the excavation and said excavation has no required building regs, no party wall notice, no principal designer and no competent contractor. This cost us nearly 500 quid and we're now awaiting solicitors advice!

The freeholder has told his own structural engineer who was mailing us asking to attend to no longer correspond with us (as he did with the insurers) after I pointed out his claims of being a member of the Institution of Structural engineers was false. He graduated but has never been a member! When I asked this guy if therefore he was responsible for the planning of this work he suddenly stopped answering.

So, the insane saga continues, to clarify on the insurance, we do pay the freeholder a sum on demand for the buildings insurance each year. He has however told the broker we cannot claim so looks like he's not added our names ot the policy which may well also be fraudulent. Since I last wrote the building must have sagged again as the front door will not open again. Each time this happens and we angrily mail him he has simply shaved more off the door! You can't make this sh*t up.

Sorry if I've not covered off all your enquiries, you're amazing but my head is spinning with it all. We seem to eat, sleep and dream this nonsense!

[John H]

Lord S... One thing you might consider is writing to the Institute the cr**k claims to belong to. They have an interest in protecting their reputation. I have experience of using this tactic against a fraudster who falsely claimed to belong to another such institute.

[John H]

Lord S. Here is a link you may find useful.. It provides a means of finding a pro bono lawyer:

https://www.lawworks.org.uk/

[topofthehill]

Have you thought of consulting the Leasehold Advisory Service? They are an independent government funded not for profit organisation and their advice is free.

I have used the service on numerous occasions on all kinds of leasehold property matters, including legal, and always found them to be most helpful.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned- I have not been following this thread closely.

[bensonby]

If you are paying this chap for insurance but he hasn't added you to the policy he may well have committed fraud or theft. I would contact the police around this specific issue.

[Jiminsyd]

I would recommend contacting the Health and Safety Executive - it can be done by anyone familiar with the details not necessarily the resident. It will need to be phrased as a dangerous workplace rather than a building at risk of collapse as the HSE are not responsible for unsafe structures, that's building control who have sounded fairly useless.

If people are working there and it is a construction site then there are all sorts of issues you could report, I'm not sure exactly what the current state of it is but if there's a deep excavation with unprotected edges and no shoring to the sides they should be all over it - both are very much hot topics in the industry.

Domestic buildings are not my field but I am a chartered engineer, if you want any pointers on things worth reporting get some photos uploaded and I'll take a look.

Best of luck.

Edit: forgot the link!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm

[alywin]

Lord S... One thing you might consider is writing to the Institute the cr**k claims to belong to. They have an interest in protecting their reputation. I have experience of using this tactic against a fraudster who falsely claimed to belong to another such institute.

That was my reaction, too.

[John H]

Any further news on this?