Noise

We didn't use yhe garden because of the awful grinding noise coming from the garage that is ag the jottom of our garden. Our garden is about 12ft long.
A bungalow was built as plans were refused for a house for privacy reasons. It us a 5 bedroom bungalow with bathrooms and garages at the bottom of our garden. Like that so the bungalow had privacy.

I wonder how big the land was that a large home was built.

Why were you unable to use your garden last summer?

Is the neighbour breaking any laws? If not, nothing much you can do
It could be a hobby, not even a business

Thanks daisend1. We and the neighbours concerned did all buy a strip
of land as our gardens were very small.
We have a patio by our French windows and a smaller one by the garden shed which is a lovely sun trap.
Unfortunately we have not been able to use this due to the noise.
I eoikd add that the grinding can be heard whenever we sit. I have set with headphones on listening to music at times.
Sadly it's still heard in doors during the winter. I'm going to start recording it.
My D H says I've got to be careful as residents are allowed to make a certain amount of noise.

No you are not being unreasonable.
Too late now but with hindsight it may have been in your interests to have purchased the land in question when it was up for sale. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Regardless of what you would have done with it at the time or later but land always sells and at least in view of what is happening now prevented the likes of those moving in who it seems have no consideration or give thought to others.
It does appear the land is being used for business purposes but that needs to be confirmed and my thoughts are do not say anything to the owner until you have obtained legal advice and that needs to come from a solicitor.

Our neighbours were suspected of running some sort of business from home. I don’t know what and it didn’t make any noise but the council was very persistent in trying to find out what was going on.

It won’t affect the OP themselves but if the neighbours are running a business they may be invalidating their own home insurance unless they have permission.

I would definitely mention it. It’s bothering you and your elderly neighbours. Chances are...they haven’t thought about the effect it’s having, and it’s almost not fair not to give them a chance to sort it out.

However, if you get no joy, I would just document everything Then if you do have to go down the complaints route, you’ll have evidence. Hopefully won’t come to that. It’s so easy these days with smart phones if you have one.

You say they’re quiet at night, which is the real blessing, although it shouldn’t have to be. I always feel you shouldn’t have to ask twice, they’re adults. They’ll either stop immediately you tell them...or not, or they’ll give you a good reason, and a possible stop date.

Whilst documenting, are there changes you could make? Such as moving your sitting area in the garden to outside your house?

At least it’s winter now, so presumably no sitting outside. Hopefully, any work he’s doing will be finished by next Spring.

Good luck.

My house deeds (1930s) have a condition for no business use. Still, it's widely ignored around here and I don't think there would be any way of enforcing it now.

At the end of my garden (across a service road) a mechanic uses his garage as a workshop. Often, there's annoying revving of engines, clattering metal sounds - and much loud chatter, including swearing. I just couldn't have a sitting area at that end.

There are rules about running a business from home, which usually requires an application for a change of use for the part of the house (in this case the garage) which is being used. I would, as others have suggested, have a calm conversation with the owner to point out the distress this is causing you. If that is not successful, then your local council will need to be made aware of the noise nuisance. I suspect that, if the grinding is constant as you state, then it is more than a "hobby" that he is carrying out. The council will investigate and some alterations may be required by them which will alleviate the problem.

But do try to have a quiet word first. As others have said, he may be totally oblivious to the fact that the sound is carrying to other properties.

I would calmly and politely point about the noise in person. You say it has been almost constant over the last 12 months which to me seems unreasonable for close neighbours to put up with. Depending on the reply you get will determine how you go forward.

Put simply, he won’t know the noise is troublesome unless you tell him. He may well be wearing ear defenders. What about mentioning it and if it is likely to continue, suggest that he insulates/noise proofs the garage. It may not eliminate the noise completely but at least make it bearable.
My neighbour has just built a work shed in his garden (very noisy) and I thought all was going to be quieter but no. I have chatted to him and the insulation arrived on Friday. I have just bought his little girls a gift as a thank you for making the solution so easy.

THere is, according to a current story on The Archers.

Is there any law about running a business from home

Grinding? I think the only way is to speak to your neighbour and ask what the noise is and that it is disturbing you and other neighbours.
Some people seem oblivious to the fact that their noise is bothering others and hopefully they will try to stop annoying you.