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Nosy neighbour

CottagegardenerCottagegardener Posts: 15
in Problem solving

my nosey grumpy neighbour is complaining about anything I do,  like putting up a greenhouse that he can see about the top 3 inches of over his fence.

any suggestions for screening his fence by trees that will not keep too much light from his garden would be very helpful.  Alan titchmarsh planting cordelines gave me the idea.

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Posts

  • Jimmy CrawfordJimmy Crawford Posts: 468

    Tell him to p*ss off and mind his own business. If he's that grumpy and you're not breaking the law, don't even engage with him. Garden the way you want.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    You have the right to use your garden as you see fit as long as you respect laws and by-laws about hedge and fence heights and so on and do not need planning permission or his to erect a greenhouse.  

    Be polite to your neighbour when you point this out and maybe suggest a bit of trellis could be added to the top of your dividing fence which would disguise the greenhouse from his garden.  You can then leave th e trellis as is or train a climbing rose or clematis along it for further provacy which its sounds like you need more than your neighbour. 

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CottagegardenerCottagegardener Posts: 15

    Thanks to all who replied.  We have lived here for 6 months now and everyone has been so friendly.  Neighbours all agree this person is a grumpy old man so I am trying to ignore him.  The fence is his and he has already told me not to lean on it!

  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066

    Put your own fence just inside his and grow what you like up it and put a trellis on top if you wish.  Don't let him bully you.  If you were growing a massive hedge or large trees that cut off all the sun in his garden I could understand his complaint but it seems you are a sensitive neighbour so enjoy your garden.

    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • Jimmy CrawfordJimmy Crawford Posts: 468

    Check the property deeds to make sure it's been erected in the right place. If it hasn't, hold fire until the next time he opens his mouth.

  • flowerbunny85flowerbunny85 Posts: 30
    There are a few things you can do the most drastic would be a bamboo screen, but that could be very problematic, you could put your own screening or trellis in front of his fence and grow some nice climbers, then he doesn't lose the light and you don't have to engage with him. If you're worried about bamboo taking over you could put it in really big pots or troughs so it will go the length of the fence. Hope I helped, excuse any mistakes I'm new here.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138
    pansyface wrote (see)

    Maybe he has health problems and is in pain - that can make normal people very bad tempered. Maybe he's just been disappointed by his life and feels the need to take it out on other people.

    I'd feel pity for him. There must be something that isn't right.

    I agree - something is wrong.  Maybe he's had awful neighbours in the past image

    Smile and be pleasant.  It's very difficult to be horrid to someone who's being nice to you.  Perhaps he'll relax a little when he finds out that you're a nice person and determined to be a good neighbour image

    You may never be best friends, but at least you'll be able to hold your head up and know that you've not done anything unreasonable image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CottagegardenerCottagegardener Posts: 15

    I am being very pleasant to him.  His wife and son are very nice people.  I always smile at him and the last time he put his head over the fence I just walked in.  I am determined not to have arguments with him.

    however, I do think I shall take the advice and plant a trellis and climbers up which will look good from my side.  

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    Sounds lovely image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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