Excessive Wall Height?

howardb

howardb

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Randburg, JHB
Hi all,
My neighbour has started erecting a 2.7m precast wall (replacing a 1.6m precast) in their panhandle driveway with their direct neighbour, as I see that the pillars started going up since yesterday - is this allowed without consultation and plans?

He says that he's wanting 2m-2.2m average height on his side, and that his neighbour's ground drops approx 50cm, hence the 2.7m.
My concern is that my brick boundary wall is 2m average (green line), and you can clearly see that those precast posts are way in excess of 2.2m at eye level on the brick wall (red line) - more like 50cm-70cm higher than the existing wall.

This tall wall will also block any existing Northcliff valley and Northcliff hill views we have from 3 rooms and the garden...

I'm in Randburg district, but cannot seem to find any local guidelines or contacts for the District Manager - any input welcome.

Wall.jpg
 
howardb said:
Hi all,
My neighbour has started erecting a 2.7m precast wall (replacing a 1.6m precast) in their panhandle driveway with their direct neighbour, as I see that the pillars started going up since yesterday - is this allowed without consultation and plans?

He says that he's wanting 2m-2.2m average height on his side, and that his neighbour's ground drops approx 50cm, hence the 2.7m.
My concern is that my brick boundary wall is 2m average (green line), and you can clearly see that those precast posts are way in excess of 2.2m at eye level on the brick wall (red line) - more like 50cm-70cm higher than the existing wall.

This tall wall will also block any existing Northcliff valley and Northcliff hill views we have from 3 rooms and the garden...

I'm in Randburg district, but cannot seem to find any local guidelines or contacts for the District Manager - any input welcome.

View attachment 1599186
Click to expand...
Always found precast to be of an eyesore. Not great for resale even if it’s not yours.
 
howardb said:
Hi all,
My neighbour has started erecting a 2.7m precast wall (replacing a 1.6m precast) in their panhandle driveway with their direct neighbour, as I see that the pillars started going up since yesterday - is this allowed without consultation and plans?

He says that he's wanting 2m-2.2m average height on his side, and that his neighbour's ground drops approx 50cm, hence the 2.7m.
My concern is that my brick boundary wall is 2m average (green line), and you can clearly see that those precast posts are way in excess of 2.2m at eye level on the brick wall (red line) - more like 50cm-70cm higher than the existing wall.

This tall wall will also block any existing Northcliff valley and Northcliff hill views we have from 3 rooms and the garden...

I'm in Randburg district, but cannot seem to find any local guidelines or contacts for the District Manager - any input welcome.

View attachment 1599186
Click to expand...
What views can you possibly have through those trees?
 
You can contact the municipal building office as that would need to be approved.
 
TheMightyQuinn said:
What views can you possibly have through those trees?
Click to expand...
That's only the front section of the garden where they started the putting the posts in, the other end of the garden is where the views are, also by the dining room, entrance room and kitchen. ;)
 
howardb said:
Hi all,
My neighbour has started erecting a 2.7m precast wall (replacing a 1.6m precast) in their panhandle driveway with their direct neighbour, as I see that the pillars started going up since yesterday - is this allowed without consultation and plans?

He says that he's wanting 2m-2.2m average height on his side, and that his neighbour's ground drops approx 50cm, hence the 2.7m.
My concern is that my brick boundary wall is 2m average (green line), and you can clearly see that those precast posts are way in excess of 2.2m at eye level on the brick wall (red line) - more like 50cm-70cm higher than the existing wall.

This tall wall will also block any existing Northcliff valley and Northcliff hill views we have from 3 rooms and the garden...

I'm in Randburg district, but cannot seem to find any local guidelines or contacts for the District Manager - any input welcome.

View attachment 1599186
Click to expand...
Just watch your wall and check for any cracks or pressure points. I something was to happen to your wall most insurers would say it is a retaining wall and repudiate a claim for wall damage.

Those prefab walls are crap and an eyesore and you'll end up with the bland side which is even uglier. Apart from that I wouldn't mind the serenity and isolation from neighbours actually.
 
howardb said:
Hi all,
My neighbour has started erecting a 2.7m precast wall (replacing a 1.6m precast) in their panhandle driveway with their direct neighbour, as I see that the pillars started going up since yesterday - is this allowed without consultation and plans?

He says that he's wanting 2m-2.2m average height on his side, and that his neighbour's ground drops approx 50cm, hence the 2.7m.
My concern is that my brick boundary wall is 2m average (green line), and you can clearly see that those precast posts are way in excess of 2.2m at eye level on the brick wall (red line) - more like 50cm-70cm higher than the existing wall.

This tall wall will also block any existing Northcliff valley and Northcliff hill views we have from 3 rooms and the garden...

I'm in Randburg district, but cannot seem to find any local guidelines or contacts for the District Manager - any input welcome.

View attachment 1599186
Click to expand...
Security concerns?

Think max height is 1.8m - 2.1m max. Won't be higher than that. Head over to your municipality, they will give you the info you need and steps you can take to start the neighbour war.

Don't think you have much of a view, unless you plan the chop those trees.


But also depends on where the existing ground levels were. Did he go up or did you go down. If you went down then he can go up to achieve 2.2m on his side. If his site was filled and yours the existing site level, then he must use that is measurement.
 
Only the direct neighbour would need to approve it and sounds like they are fully aware so you are **** out of luck.
 
RedViking said:
Security concerns?

Think max height is 1.8m - 2.1m max. Won't be higher than that. Head over to your municipality, they will give you the info you need and steps you can take to start the neighbour war.

Don't think you have much of a view, unless you plan the chop those trees.


But also depends on where the existing ground levels were. Did he go up or did you go down. If you went down then he can go up to achieve 2.2m on his side. If his site was filled and yours the existing site level, then he must use that is measurement.
Click to expand...
Thx, he went up from 1.6m to 2.7m - the ground between my brick wall and his panhandle drive is the same height, give or take a couple of cm's - the height difference between his panhandle drive (far side) and his direct neighbour is about 50cm ave drop - this was existing, so no ground height change.

They seem to have removed the old precast posts and simply dropped in these much taller ones, so if around 2.7m height on my facing side, then must be at least 3.2m on the neighbour's dropped side...
 
howardb said:
Thx, he went up from 1.6m to 2.7m - the ground between my brick wall and his panhandle drive is the same height, give or take a couple of cm's - the height difference between his panhandle drive (far side) and his direct neighbour is about 50cm ave drop - this was existing, so no ground height change.

They seem to have removed the old precast posts and simply dropped in these much taller ones, so if around 2.7m height on my facing side, then must be at least 3.2m on the neighbour's dropped side...
Click to expand...
When I say "up" I mean refering to the existing ground levels before the building platforms where created for your homes. But yeah, I have a feeling he is in the wrong here. Again, head over to your municipality as they should have all the info you need.

At least you don't have Checkers erecting a shopping centre in front of your house. This Eagle Ridge estate had a lekker view to Midmar, units are not cheap, and now they getting a checkers to look at.

Screenshot_2023-10-09-08-28-14-378-edit_com.google.android.apps.maps.jpg
 
ProfA said:
High walls make the best neighbours. Mind your business.
Click to expand...
I agree; actually have very good neighbour relations; seems it's his direct neighbour that's pushed for this on his property for some reason; my neighbour is also questioning it ;)
 
RedViking said:
When I say "up" I mean refering to the existing ground levels before the building platforms where created for your homes. But yeah, I have a feeling he is in the wrong here. Again, head over to your municipality as they should have all the info you need.

At least you don't have Checkers erecting a shopping centre in front of your house. This Eagle Ridge estate had a lekker view to Midmar, units are not cheap, and now they getting a checkers to look at.

View attachment 1599212
Click to expand...
Thx, will check it out - unsure of those levels; we moved in 2 years after the houses were built, but can't see that it changed much from today.

Yep, that's a lovely area and that'll be an eye-sore for sure!
 
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