Bought a residential plot 20 years ago. Accessed initially over an unmade Lane over the Common - presumably should be local authority maintained. Then there are various lengths of lane in three seperate ownerships. Usual searches carried out @ time of buying plot but no issues re the use of access over the lane, or requests for payment for access, came up or requests for contributions to maintenance. Also had several conversations with one owner at the time but nothing raised by him
Built house at that time & no problems although the above owner, through his solicitor asked for contributions, in 1998, for maintenance which 'I was aware were my responsibilities' but only after work had been carried out & completed
I replaid saying I was not aware of any resposibilities for contribution; that in any case contact should have been made before doing the work; that I did not rule out contributing but suggested that this should be properly established & agreed at the time. I have heard nothing further since that time until below
Now have planning to build small cottage in part of my garden with access over the same lane. Wrote to all neighbours before applying for planning as a matter of courtesy. Within 3 days had a solicitors letter from the neighbour I spoke to 20 years ago demanding payment over his length of lane [ only about one 30th of the lengh of his lane would require access over in this instance ] before access would be allowed. Also again that I should contribute to maintenance
Two other houses fairly recently built at the top of the lane with access being needed over 100% of his lane & it appears he successfully demanded & got £ 30,000 for the first one & £100,000 for the second one from the owner of the land to allow access over his lane
Wrote to his solicitor asking what had changed since I bought 20 years ago & did not have to pay for access over the lane. Also asked for agreements or anything else that would justify the claims
Response just states that they do not need to confirm the law & that I sould get advice. Not too helpful in the circumstances
The other two owners have not demanded any payments for access over their sections of lane in relation to either of the other two houses, now built @ the top of the lane, or to me
Am I liable for any payment for access for the proposed house over a short lenth of lane, & if so how is the cost valued, or for maintenance to the lane. I volantered to pay for any damage over the short lenth during my building works but that has been ignored
Any advice would be welcome
Dick
Built house at that time & no problems although the above owner, through his solicitor asked for contributions, in 1998, for maintenance which 'I was aware were my responsibilities' but only after work had been carried out & completed
I replaid saying I was not aware of any resposibilities for contribution; that in any case contact should have been made before doing the work; that I did not rule out contributing but suggested that this should be properly established & agreed at the time. I have heard nothing further since that time until below
Now have planning to build small cottage in part of my garden with access over the same lane. Wrote to all neighbours before applying for planning as a matter of courtesy. Within 3 days had a solicitors letter from the neighbour I spoke to 20 years ago demanding payment over his length of lane [ only about one 30th of the lengh of his lane would require access over in this instance ] before access would be allowed. Also again that I should contribute to maintenance
Two other houses fairly recently built at the top of the lane with access being needed over 100% of his lane & it appears he successfully demanded & got £ 30,000 for the first one & £100,000 for the second one from the owner of the land to allow access over his lane
Wrote to his solicitor asking what had changed since I bought 20 years ago & did not have to pay for access over the lane. Also asked for agreements or anything else that would justify the claims
Response just states that they do not need to confirm the law & that I sould get advice. Not too helpful in the circumstances
The other two owners have not demanded any payments for access over their sections of lane in relation to either of the other two houses, now built @ the top of the lane, or to me
Am I liable for any payment for access for the proposed house over a short lenth of lane, & if so how is the cost valued, or for maintenance to the lane. I volantered to pay for any damage over the short lenth during my building works but that has been ignored
Any advice would be welcome
Dick
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