LAND ADOPTION

[aparmar]

I have a plot of green land next to the side of my property which leaves my property prone to vadalism with cables being cut and graffiti etc. I approached the local authority a few years ago and they informed me that they could not sell on this strip of land as they had only just recieved the transfer of it from the developer. I have been maintaining the land approx 1mtr from the wall of the proerty as the local; authority landscapers do not mow the grass upto the fence and wall. How can I adopt a metre of this land away from the wall of my house and fence it iff to protect my wall and cables from this vandalism? Is there a way in which I can buy this land and what is the process for this. Any comments will be gratefully recieved

[buildersmate]

......."and they informed me that they could not sell on this strip of land as they had only just received the transfer of it from the developer' - well that's bull for starters - they may not want to sell it to you but recent acquisition of it is not a reason in itself.

'How can I adopt a metre of this land away from the wall of my house and fence it off to protect my wall and cables from this vandalism?' - just do it and see what happens. Start small - a row of stones perhaps, now start mowing it, then maybe a small picket fence. The worst that happens is you will asked to remove it. However you will never permanently own it that way if it is actually registered land at the LR. It may not be - it may have been adopted as part of the public highway (verge).

'Is there a way in which I can buy this land and what is the process for this.' - depends on the actual ownership; if local authority owned, yes - they sell it to you - but they don't want to play that ball-game. If part of the highway (verge) then 'no' - you'd just have to try and take possession over a period of time.

[tamborine]

After 12y usage you could claim 'squatters rights'.

[buildersmate]

... though it wouldn't work on registered land. Which is why I partitioned my answer dependent on whether the land is owned by the local council or whether it is now part of the verge on the public highway. Keep up.

[bushbaby_de]

Is the land part of your property on your deeds or not? Ownership is a separate issue to whether it is adopted highway or not. It could belong to you but be highway, in which case the Council can stop you erecting fences etc on it. If it is highway you will need a stopping up order. If it belongs to the Council you will also need a license from them to use the land.