Adjoining garden fence gate blocked

Kingbroady

My rear garden fence adjoins an orchard which is land connected with three empty cottages owned by one individual. Several years ago, I paid for a new fence within which I had attached a gate for access onto the orchard should the kids kick their footballs in there. As they're past that age, this isn't so much of an issue. However, on opening the gate, I find the owner has attached a metal mesh panel over it, preventing access to the orchard. I expect he is within his rights to do so as the orchard is his land. However, to do it without even advising he was has annoyed me.  There's no damage as such to the fence posts, other than he's drilled into to attach the panel. Is he able to do so, please?

theoretica

Did you advise him before installing the gate?  If you had agreed this access with him I would agree with you it would have been civil to inform you of the change.

elsien

Do you have right of access to his orchard and did you ask him if you could put a gate there to go in? 

A_Lert

If it's your fence, then he wasn't allowed to attach anything to it without your permission. But considering the neighbour could have just put his own fence panel blocking the gate anyway, I wouldn't bother making a fuss.

Assuming there's not actually a right of way.

Jeepers_Creepers

Damn fine idea. My kids are forever throwing their Frisbees over the garden hedge into t'neighb's garden - it's a pain asking them to chuck it back, and a giant pita to go all the way around to ask.

I think I'll just fit a gate so's I can go in any time I like. And if they dare put a mesh panel across it I'll scream.

Billy_B_North

What a strange post. You seem to have just decided to make yourself a gate into someone else’s property, and are upset when they decide to block it.
As for it being “your” fence, do you never touch the side of your neighbour’s fence which touches your own garden? Generally the side of the fence facing your property is your responsibility, and you get to screw things into it if you want.

Soot2006

Do you have a right of way across your boundary?

I rent a horse field that adjoins many houses. People are constantly putting gates in to let their kids out to play or see the horses (the fields rotate so sometimes they are empty) or as a shortcut to local footpaths.  I am forever putting up barbed wire and electric fence ... to keep people in their own gardens! I put notes through doors with deeds and ordnance surveys maps to remind there is no right of away across my fields! I also contact estate agents who advertise these houses with photos of the gate saying "direct access to the downs" ... Hmmmm ... Have I caused criminal damage on occasion when people didn't take the hint. Yes I have! Nailed gates shut and also added my own barriers.  I have yet to be taken to court over this.  I was, however, threatened with court when someone let their pug into the field for a poo (on my grazing!!!) and one of the horses decided the pug was a funny toy indeed and booted it like a football. I love dogs ... which is why I don't let my own dogs run free in a herd of playful horses! The owner seemed to think it was MY fault somehow but then never took it any further after much threats.

Sorry for the rant.

Don't use other people's land. Just ask for the ball back or add trellis to your fence so you don't kick it in so often.

Kingbroady

Fair points all. The more I think of it from his perspective, I wouldn't want easy access to my land from anyone for whatever reason. To add context, the orchard was completely overgrown and the cottages uninhabited for the last 10 years. Had they had been, I would have discussed initially with the owner, had I known who it was. All makes sense and I'm much more reasonable this morning. Thanks all. 

twopenny

If it opened inwards you could have a view or a breeze perhaps without intruding. Just thinking if it's already there.

Soot2006

Kingbroady said:

Fair points all. The more I think of it from his perspective, I wouldn't want easy access to my land from anyone for whatever reason. To add context, the orchard was completely overgrown and the cottages uninhabited for the last 10 years. Had they had been, I would have discussed initially with the owner, had I known who it was. All makes sense and I'm much more reasonable this morning. Thanks all. 

That is a bit different from my trespassing issues, so apologies again for the mini rant!

Someone clearly got upset by the gate, however, and perhaps was worrying you were "using" the land, not just nipping in to retrieve a football.

Jeepers_Creepers

Kingbroady said:

Fair points all. The more I think of it from his perspective, I wouldn't want easy access to my land from anyone for whatever reason. To add context, the orchard was completely overgrown and the cottages uninhabited for the last 10 years. Had they had been, I would have discussed initially with the owner, had I known who it was. All makes sense and I'm much more reasonable this morning. Thanks all. 

Nice reply, Kingbroady.