50th Post The Nightmare Just got Much MUCH Worse

We had hoped with the arrival of the final decking across in the Tawhai Street Development that the worst of the nightmare would be over and we could find some peace. I was wrong to be so hopeful!

As you can see from the first image below, we have two windows with a clear vew into our garden. The same arrangements cam be see for our next door neighbours. You can see the window to the kitchen above it.

As they have a young family, our neighbours are not thrilled by the prospect of being watched constantly by people over the fence.

Then things began to take a more worrying turn. The newly built fence on the other side of the fence is so low that anyone can climb over into the properties on our side with terrifying ease.  Yo can't see it behind the fence in the picture above.

An eight year old could be over into our gardens literally in seconds. We are wondering if it is worth the risk expanding our fruit tree and garden planting as we have to guarantee the fruit trees will be safe. Most gardening has been on hold due to the noise levels. No one wants to work in a garden with construction noise. [Building is not quiet which is fair enough].

You can see the solid wooden decking in this image below.

 

When they started to put the railings in for the houses facing us I began to get really worried. The fence is level with our own fencing although it elevates slighyt further along. There is no privacy from the houses on the other side of the fence at all.

Anyone coming out on to their deck has a clear view into the gardens of the houses on our side and they can climb the fence with absolute ease. 

We have lost nearly 60 cms (over half a meter) of height due to Urban Plus having to raise the height of the properties to accommodate work Hutt Council demanded to comply with the District Plan. We have as assurance, by email with there would be some form of screening. We have none so far.

You can see how shallow the fence is below.

Most fun of all they have added a large extractor fan to the back of each property. I wonder how noisy they are?

 

I am in touch with Urban Plus and have requested some kind of reassurance for myself and the young families on this side of the development that there will be some kind of action to keep us safe ie. more raised fencing. At the moment none of us feel safe, or enjoy a shred of privacy with such easy access from at lease four properties from the other side.

I have not yet mentioned the Stream/Culvert that will be an absolute magnet for any child who sees it over the fence.  I give it a week before someone falls in after trespassing on our row of houses.

No response yet, and I have no idea if we can expect anything. Our next step will be approaching Hutt Council formally as well as our Member of Parliament and the press.