News
24-06-06, 06:10 PM
MORE than a dozen desperate Highgate residents want to take out an Asbo on their wealthy neighbours.
An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is being sought against Philip Thomas and his wife Carol, who live in the Old Barn House in the High Street.
Letters of complaint detailing years of bullying, harassment and intimidation have been lodged with Haringey Council.
John Robinson, who took over the Rose and Crown pub three years ago, said: "Due to the behaviour of this particular neighbour I have felt it was necessary to report their activities to the Asbo team at Haringey Council.
"As I understand it around 14 other parties have also written to the council regarding anti-social behaviour towards them by these particular people."
The Highgate Garden Centre, Townsend Yard, off Highgate High Street, is one of the complainants.
A spokesman said: "About two to three years ago, she did try and put us out of business by claiming we did light industrial work.
"We had to ban them from the site because they would arrive in a fairly aggressive manner with cameras and take pictures."
The Thomases moved into the village around six years ago. They bought the shop at 82 Highgate High Street, the flat above and applied for planning permission to build a mansion on land at the back.
There are historical gripes about the planning permission being granted and the chaos caused during construction but residents say they want to live and let live.
A close neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They got their planning permission so just leave people alone.
"Over a period of four years, they have videoed us, photographed us and our customers."
She said they have called the fire brigade and police to neighbours' homes and they get irritated if parked cars are just slightly over their entrance.
"It's relentless bullying and intimidation by people who have a lot of time and money," she added.
Chris Underhill of Highgate High Street estate agents Prickett & Ellis Underhill had a run-in with the Thomases in Christmas 2004, when they refused to allow the festive lights to be hung outside their home.
He said: "I have had an issue with them in the past and it caused additional costs and delays in the festive lights. I was disappointed by their bah humbug behaviour."
Mr Thomas said yesterday: "In January we were served with a notice by Haringey Council that they were intending to take out an Asbo on us, alleging misuse of council services, blocking of business deliveries, amongst other things."
"We're not the usual kind of target, middle aged, middle class family living in Highgate."
He said the main complainant against him was the Rose and Crown pub and claimed the owners, Enterprise Inns, were running a campaign because he complained about noise. He said they were supported by the Highgate Society because of previous planning disputes.
A Haringey Council spokeswoman said the council had not issued or threatened to issue an Asbo against Mr Thomas or his wife.
She said: "However, we have received many allegations and counter allegations of anti-social behaviour from residents in the area which we have been investigating."
She added that Mr Thomas had declined to attend a meeting to discuss the allegations further.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-so..._in_asbo_court/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-social_behaviour/village_feud_could_end_up_in_asbo_court/)
An anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is being sought against Philip Thomas and his wife Carol, who live in the Old Barn House in the High Street.
Letters of complaint detailing years of bullying, harassment and intimidation have been lodged with Haringey Council.
John Robinson, who took over the Rose and Crown pub three years ago, said: "Due to the behaviour of this particular neighbour I have felt it was necessary to report their activities to the Asbo team at Haringey Council.
"As I understand it around 14 other parties have also written to the council regarding anti-social behaviour towards them by these particular people."
The Highgate Garden Centre, Townsend Yard, off Highgate High Street, is one of the complainants.
A spokesman said: "About two to three years ago, she did try and put us out of business by claiming we did light industrial work.
"We had to ban them from the site because they would arrive in a fairly aggressive manner with cameras and take pictures."
The Thomases moved into the village around six years ago. They bought the shop at 82 Highgate High Street, the flat above and applied for planning permission to build a mansion on land at the back.
There are historical gripes about the planning permission being granted and the chaos caused during construction but residents say they want to live and let live.
A close neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They got their planning permission so just leave people alone.
"Over a period of four years, they have videoed us, photographed us and our customers."
She said they have called the fire brigade and police to neighbours' homes and they get irritated if parked cars are just slightly over their entrance.
"It's relentless bullying and intimidation by people who have a lot of time and money," she added.
Chris Underhill of Highgate High Street estate agents Prickett & Ellis Underhill had a run-in with the Thomases in Christmas 2004, when they refused to allow the festive lights to be hung outside their home.
He said: "I have had an issue with them in the past and it caused additional costs and delays in the festive lights. I was disappointed by their bah humbug behaviour."
Mr Thomas said yesterday: "In January we were served with a notice by Haringey Council that they were intending to take out an Asbo on us, alleging misuse of council services, blocking of business deliveries, amongst other things."
"We're not the usual kind of target, middle aged, middle class family living in Highgate."
He said the main complainant against him was the Rose and Crown pub and claimed the owners, Enterprise Inns, were running a campaign because he complained about noise. He said they were supported by the Highgate Society because of previous planning disputes.
A Haringey Council spokeswoman said the council had not issued or threatened to issue an Asbo against Mr Thomas or his wife.
She said: "However, we have received many allegations and counter allegations of anti-social behaviour from residents in the area which we have been investigating."
She added that Mr Thomas had declined to attend a meeting to discuss the allegations further.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-so..._in_asbo_court/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/anti-social_behaviour/village_feud_could_end_up_in_asbo_court/)