Today I'm breathing (with a gas mask) a sigh of relief as the burnt out house which backs onto the Sow's Ear had its asbestos roof removed. You can read about the house fire here.
I'm relieved because after all the work was done, they laid tarpaulins over the blackened roof trusses which I saw as a sign that they would not be demolishing the house...I'm hopeful at any rate. Surely, they wouldn't take so much care if the house was going to be demolished?
It's not an overly beautiful house but usually when people build in this area, it's often two storey McMansions which take up every square inch of available land. Not that I'm knocking that, but as a neighbourly person I love distance between me and the neighbour's toilet, if you know what I'm saying.
We also have a really nice outlook to the mountains from our deck at the moment - a new house build behind us would probably mean hasta la vista to our quaint vista. I have my fingers crossed that the house is repaired rather than demolished.
It's something which bothers me all the time since we have Boo Radley's house next door to us as well! Who knows what will be built there?
Am I the only person who gets nervous when the neighbours start renovating or building?
I'm relieved because after all the work was done, they laid tarpaulins over the blackened roof trusses which I saw as a sign that they would not be demolishing the house...I'm hopeful at any rate. Surely, they wouldn't take so much care if the house was going to be demolished?
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| Old house having its roof removed |
It's not an overly beautiful house but usually when people build in this area, it's often two storey McMansions which take up every square inch of available land. Not that I'm knocking that, but as a neighbourly person I love distance between me and the neighbour's toilet, if you know what I'm saying.
We also have a really nice outlook to the mountains from our deck at the moment - a new house build behind us would probably mean hasta la vista to our quaint vista. I have my fingers crossed that the house is repaired rather than demolished.
It's something which bothers me all the time since we have Boo Radley's house next door to us as well! Who knows what will be built there?
Am I the only person who gets nervous when the neighbours start renovating or building?
Hello:
ReplyDeleteThe asbestos situation is a little worrying but the covering of the house really would suggest rebuilding rather than demolition. We do hope so for you and will keep our fingers crossed!
Yes, I'm with you, I hope they fix it up as those McMansions ruin the character of the area.
ReplyDeleteI have a real thing about homes that have their nice big backyards subdivided to build units. It drives me batty! That has happened to a few properties in our street. I just think it's greedy. Thankfully the owner of house over the road that is in the process of having 3 double storey units built in it's backyard are cladding them in timber and heritage colours.
I can understand your nerves.
ReplyDeleteI get nervous when I think I can smell some hootchy-cooch being smoked by the neighbour ... and then I run upstairs and try and get my husband to confirm my suspicion, but his nose for mary-jane isn't as attuned as mine.
Bong-toting neighbours make me nervous. So do McMansions. So tit-for-tat. Long day.
I hate to put a pessimistic slant on it, but I think they would encase the asbestos before removal, whether or not they were going to demolish the house - it's the law. Having said that, unless there was severe structural damage, there would be no need to demolish (unless they had other ideas for the site...)
ReplyDeleteNope, I would be twitchy too. Our last neighbours raised and added a huge deck, totally ruining all our privacy, hence a major motivation to move to Betsy around the corner. I guess the Silk purse is looking pretty sweet if you need to get out of there! melx
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying Brismod! The house next door to us has been demolished - it doesnt look good!! Keep you posted and I am really nervous!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh how scary! Once our neighbours house was on fire, and I didn't hear a thing even though I was sitting awake in the loungeroom. It's only when my daughter noticed 6 foot flames from their roof that we realised. Hope there is no effects from the asbestos! Hopefully they will come and remove it soon.
ReplyDeletexx
I can totally understand being nervous about what is to come. We have new neighbours and we get a little concerned every time he brings the tools out, they don't like big trees and bit by bit all of the greenery is disappearing. xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear, a Boo Radley house. How spooky. I loved that book and we too use the term Boo Radley to describe anything scary! A-M xx
ReplyDeleteHope they just repair for your sake! Would stink to cover up your view. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a suburb in Newcastle which, when we moved here 25 years ago, was populated by lovely old, mostly federation houses. Bit by bit houses come on the market, are demolished, and replaced with McMansions and it has changed the dynamic of the whole place. I don't like to judge people by their houses, but there is a certain mind-set that comes with people who don't value old houses and/or the integrity of a place. We are currently in the process of deciding where to move to. There are less affluent suburbs where young people and, funnily enough, older people are moving where there is a definite feeling of a shared consciousness of wanting to preserve the integrity of the suburb. The whole thing quite saddens me, really.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very sad if you lost your view. You could always build a turret!
I totally agree guy's. I mean who wouldn't get a little nervous. Luckily for us not everybody is sold on the idea of maintaining such a beautiful part of history and architecture. If everyone did then the prices of our homes would not be affordable. Not that they are now of course ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope they repair the old girl for all our sakes.
One of the reasons we took 18 long months to find our little oasis in the trees on a big block...couldn't bear the thought of having a monstrosity go up behind us or next door.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed the house stays although what Tom says has merit. Jingies I would be digging around to find out what's happening with this house...
xx
Understand your nervousness - our worst fears were realised when the house next door to us was sold and the new owners said they were going to demolish it and build units - 2 long skinny conjoined things that sit right on each fence line. My biggest issue with the project is that the style they are going for (render, concrete, glass etc) comes nowhere near blending in with the rest of the street which for the most is made up of weatherboard or brick homes of a particular era. I don't have anyhing against modern architecture but it does need to suit the area in which it lives.
ReplyDeleteWe're 6kms from the city (Brisbane) and someone in our street decided to chop off their backyard and build on it. The block is 300sqm, the house takes up the entire block and has no nice features (we're supposedly in a character protection area). The flat roof is not in keeping with Qlder character at alll. I really feel for the people on the other two sides who now have a house less than a metre from their fenceline. Not even room for a shrub! Amazing what gets approved, even after all the neighbours protested. Guess it's who you know in council...
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments. I'm so glad to read I'm not the only one who feels like this. My fingers are still firmly crossed.xx
ReplyDeleteyep, i totally get twitchy. and i'm even worse when they cut down trees. i'm about the back huffing and titching and making slightly louder than usual comments about the wildlife and the general beauty of trees : )
ReplyDeletexxx
I know what you mean. The old house behind us was demolished yesterday morning to make way for units. I am so glad we have a very tall hedge along our back fenceline which will hopefully keep any prying eyes out !
ReplyDeleteThat's why we had to buy the Reno cottage!so sick of wondering what was going to happen next.Hope your neighbours re-build.
ReplyDeleteNo, you're not the only one. That house with the 'green tsunami' I was talking about yesterday is a rental and I live in constant fear that one day the owners will sell it to people who'll tear all those palms out to get the view.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed the house stays as it is for you.
House fires are terrifying and are one of the main causes of property loss. But that can be prevented by fire proofing your home. The choice of walls and roofs can make a big difference in terms of fire prevention. Shake roofs are susceptible to fire, while tile and metal roofs offer the best defense.
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