New driveway and neighbours not happy.

Cacran

We had similar happen to us when we moved into our house. We bought it because it had space for a double garage. We got rid of the single one within a month and bought the new one. No one said anything but we just got an unpleasant vibe.
A few years later we wanted to extend the dining room. We asked the adjoining neighbour if they would mind and they said no and that they had considered extending theirs but couldn't afford it.
We went ahead with plans and that same neighbour objected to it. It made no difference because we were granted permission by the planners. They didn't speak to us for over 20 years. Now that the lady is the only one living there and she is elderly, we gradually got talking to her and we even, amicably negotiated the replacement of the original fence. It was falling down for years but we daren't either do it up or replace it because of the unpleasant past.

Norman_Castle

goodwithsaving wrote: »

I have just been grilled by the unhappy family's 8 year old child about why I was changing the garden, that it wasn't fair because they couldn't turn their front garden into a driveway etc. They would if they could, regardless of your opinion, explain that to the regurgitating child. This isn't the first comment I've had, and the parents blank me now.

I'm so annoyed, but also upset that they are being like this towards me. They have also made comments in the past that surely I can live with a leaking roof and ceiling patches, and how am I funding things....... (savings).

You're better off having nothing to do with them. When they stop blanking you and start asking prying questions again use the phrase, "none of your business". Highly unlikely its anyone other than these people who are really bothered by this. Be polite to people who are polite to you, disregard the rest.

Its nice to be nice but some people are best avoided.

HampshireH

Make friends with the nice neighbours and the nasty ones will soon fall off their high horses.

Jealousy is a nasty trait. If they wamted drives they should have bought your house instead !

robatwork

goodwithsaving wrote: »

I have just been grilled by the unhappy family's 8 year old child about why I was changing the garden, that it wasn't fair because they couldn't turn their front garden into a driveway etc. This isn't the first comment I've had, and the parents blank me now.

Now then, about this driveway......

goodwithsaving

Thank you all. I really value the comments and am no longer as down about it as I felt. Hopefully they won't block me getting on/off.

Thank you again

Norman_Castle

What should I do if they block me from getting onto it? Hopefully they won't, but I'm feeling a bit unsettled about it.

Hopefully they won't, if they do just park on the street. If they keep doing it contact the local police or council as it could be considered causing an obstruction or harassment.

You've got a couple of difficult neighbours, the other neighbours are likely to know what they are like.

poppellerant

I'm wondering if CCTV would be a worthwhile investment? Obviously not over the top, but enough to catch any jealous scrotes who might feel inclined to damage your property.

shaun_from_Africa

poppellerant wrote: »

I'm wondering if CCTV would be a worthwhile investment? Obviously not over the top, but enough to catch any jealous scrotes who might feel inclined to damage your property.

If you do decide to get CCTV, make sure that this doesn't cover any land outside of your own property or if it does, ensure that you register with the ICO.
As you seem to have the sort of neighbours who like to complain, you need to make sure that everything you do is totally legal.

stator

goodwithsaving wrote: »

I get that, but:
I have one car.

For now.
Eventually someone will move in to your house and there will be more cars and it will cause a problem. It always happens eventually

goodwithsaving

Hi.

I just wanted to follow this up with a request for advice.

The driveway has obviously now been in for a while but as people have moved in, cars in the area have increased and roadspace is getting tight.
I am getting frequent grief from neighbours insisting that they should be able to park on my driveway. (I have room for two cars, I own one car and occasionally, have visitors using the second space).

I don't want their cars on my driveway and am fed up of defending how I use MY land. If they wanted driveways, perhaps they should have bought a different house, or they're very welcome to move.

It has got to the point where I am seriously considering putting my house on the market and moving. I purposely park very far forward so there is no way they could partially park on there, but it's a pain that I even have to think about that.

It isn't selfish. I earned my house and have made the changes for me, nobody else. 1 space was lost on the road which is now the driveway entrance. My car would have been in that space.

What can I do to make it stop?

Before anyone suggests renting a space, I don't want the money and the inconvenience would outweigh it.