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Original poster

I'm so upset with new neighbours

221 replies

hedgedrama · 19/04/2021 15:11

I started a thread a good few weeks ago here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4195576-I-need-some-Mumsnet-sense-knocking-into-me

And to update on the hedge, they basically tore it down. Despite the agreement that some would be left. They have offered to buy me some new hedging for my side. I was sort of OK with it all, I didn't end up having much choice, just as people warned me on the first thread but I tried to just let it go and not create a war. The (probable) nesting birds was incredibly upsetting, but it was just too late - they sort of did it anyway.

But today has really been a new level of awfulness. They brought in some diggers to landscape the garden to install their astroturf, and I noticed something moving. It was a frog. As I paid more attention I could see literally tens of frogs so I went out and bearing in mind our gardens literally are joined at the moment as there is no fence or hedge, I went onto their garden could see there were a LOT of frogs being caught up with the digger.

The driver of the digger stopped when he saw me come over into their garden, and when I said there are frogs here, he was like "Yeah I've seen loads"

There was a natural pond there for years. It is breeding season, and as I went over I can see frogs everywhere trying to escape for their lives.

The owner of the house came out and we started to catch some and move them into my garden, but there were honestly everywhere. I said "you can't just do this. It is against the law. You are intentionally killing frogs etc.".

They have stopped the works and they have been out and caught about 60 frogs (no exaggeration) in a bucket and I have taken them to a local pond (within a mile as the wildlife conservation trusts recommend).

But I now have a message from them that they are starting work with the digger tomorrow again and will be on "frog watch".

I am so upset they would have just killed the 60 odd frogs that I put in the local pond, about how many have died already, but then also that they are going to start work tomorrow without being sure they have captured all the frogs.

AIBU? I feel so disgusted. I have called the council Environmental Health and am waiting for a call back, but I don't know what else to do??

OP posts:
DiddlyWiddly · 19/04/2021 19:07

no one NEEDS to comment on other people's garden preference, there's an alternative, it's called minding your business
In real life I wouldn’t ever comment on anyone’s Astro turf, unless they asked me.

But here the OP is talking about her NDN installing Astro turf and killing wildlife and being a public forum is expecting replies so on this one, I think I’m well entitled to comment and voice my opinion actually.

HasaDigaEebowai · 19/04/2021 19:09

It would be cheaper for her to put her own hedge in than try to sue and claim it was hers.

Absolutely. And land registry deeds are not going to show who owns a hedge unless it was way over onto the OP's property.

zafferana · 19/04/2021 19:10

Anyone who would choose to cover their garden with plastic (which is what astroturf if made from) is unlikely to give two shits about nature. I'm so glad you rescued all those frogs OP - what a kind and decent person you are - your new neighbours sound horrible Sad

LST · 19/04/2021 19:11

@zafferana

Anyone who would choose to cover their garden with plastic (which is what astroturf if made from) is unlikely to give two shits about nature. I'm so glad you rescued all those frogs OP - what a kind and decent person you are - your new neighbours sound horrible Sad
Nooo really? AstroTurf is plastic? Well, knock me down with a feather
SappysCurry · 19/04/2021 19:13

The majority of people are selfish, nasty, and uncaring. And you aren’t - that makes you a good person -Good for you OP🐸

NUFAN · 19/04/2021 19:16

Hey @hedgedrama

Are you on Twitter?

Do you know the name of the company doing the digging?

Get on Twitter and name and shame. Tag them in and tag in lots of people like Chris Packham. Trust me, it works. This isn’t okay. It’s ecocide and it’s horrendous.

pinkearedcow · 19/04/2021 19:17

They sound like arseholes and astroturf is an abomination.

I feel your pain OP. But neighbour feuds are not worth getting into. I would let them get on with their plastic "garden" and continue to make my own garden a haven for wildlife. Could you install a little pond if you don't have one already?

zafferana · 19/04/2021 19:19

Nooo really? AstroTurf is plastic? Well, knock me down with a feather

Believe it or not, some people don't know that astroturf is plastic, presumably they're blinded by the suffix 'turf', but thanks for the sarcastic reply @LST. I presume you're the owner of a plastic garden. Congratulations!

DiddlyWiddly · 19/04/2021 19:19

It was down when I moved in. Shall I rip it up and send it to landfill?
That is exactly what I would do.
Not that I should have to, such a damaging product should never have been created, but yes that is what I would do.

LST · 19/04/2021 19:20

I am. Thank you. As I have already stated, it was down when we moved in and due to disability I couldn't cut a lawn anyway.

I am far from uncaring when it comes to the environment. So on your judgement, you are wrong.

PatrickBatemann · 19/04/2021 19:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN · 19/04/2021 19:26

@hedgedrama

Don't doubt yourself 💐 🐸

You're doing the right thing, trying to protect the wildlife. Twats digging everything up to lay bloody astroturf. Utter cunts doing it in breeding season.

I hope the council or someone sorts this out tomorrow morning.

Ignore the twatty posters. The user names don't surprise me , don't take it personally. It's getting worse & worse on here, for shouty, me me me, types. People that don't care about wildlife, pets, other people...it's horrible.

Do what you can for the frogs & other wildlife.

The only good news about next door is that hopefully you'll have new neighbours in a years time 🤞🏼

Several of the houses I've been looking at to buy have Astro turf & if I buy any of them, it's coming straight out so you might find the new neighbours restoring some grass & stuff for the wildlife!

PatrickBatemann · 19/04/2021 19:29

The user names don't surprise me

Ooh, go one then. Who are you on about? Wink

PatrickBatemann · 19/04/2021 19:29

On* obvs

Thislittlefinger123 · 19/04/2021 19:30

Poor wildlife 😔

AstroTurf is awful, it should be illegal to cover gardens in plastic Angry

LST · 19/04/2021 19:31

@DiddlyWiddly

It was down when I moved in. Shall I rip it up and send it to landfill? That is exactly what I would do. Not that I should have to, such a damaging product should never have been created, but yes that is what I would do.
But that would be far more damaging to the environment! It is plastic (as it has just been kindly pointed out to me) after all, so it will just last for hundreds of years on a landfill site.

As it is, I have found my plastic coated lawn invaluable. The kids can play out, as can my hairy dog, without getting covered in mud (I used to struggle to wipe him). It is around 8 years old and still looks new, so it will last me a long time yet. I do have plenty of pots and raised beds in my garden to attract the bees and other insects. My mum comes to help me plant them as I am rubbish with what goes with what and where.

MrMeSeeks · 19/04/2021 19:31

Yanbu. Unfortunately some people give no shits about wildlife, as evident here.

Good on you!

Tlollj · 19/04/2021 19:31

Would it be goady of me to post a recipe for frogs legs in garlic at this point?

Thislittlefinger123 · 19/04/2021 19:33

Several of the houses I've been looking at to buy have Astro turf & if I buy any of them, it's coming straight out so you might find the new neighbours restoring some grass & stuff for the wildlife!

Which would obviously be great Smile But the plastic astro turf will still sit in landfill for thousands of years Angry it's definitely one of those things future generations will look back on and judge and think we'll no wonder the planet was f*cked with people covering their gardens in plastic

Erkrie · 19/04/2021 19:33

They sound revolting op.

zafferana · 19/04/2021 19:36

Right back atcha @PatrickBatemann. She doesn't have to keep it.

AndromedaGal · 19/04/2021 19:39

OP I would have been distressed to see that too. You did well to rescue as many as you did. But.........you are getting too involved. It’s their garden; they own the land; they can do what they please on their land. You WBU to report them to authorities for carrying out garden work on their land.

Don’t make enemies of them, & mind your own now. It’s done, you did a good thing. Just leave it be.

LST · 19/04/2021 19:39

@zafferana

Right back atcha *@PatrickBatemann*. She doesn't have to keep it.
So you would prefer me to what? Struggle to cut my lawn? Tarmac it instead? Send it off to landfill?
PatrickBatemann · 19/04/2021 19:40

@zafferana

Right back atcha *@PatrickBatemann*. She doesn't have to keep it.
Even though having it is easier for her to manage?
Screwcorona · 19/04/2021 19:41

Get proof of what they're doing. Video or photo asap before it's all gone. Keep the emails and get into detail about what they've done in writing!

You're not going to be able to stop this fast enough but you can get them landed with a big fine. Which they very much deserve

What an awful thing to do. Poor frogs