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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU in thinking my land is my garden so p off

114 replies

creaseistheword · 27/03/2011 17:42

We live on some land. Caught some people taking a short cut through to the next set of field which back onto their house. They has to go through 2 sets of closed gates to do it. Why do people think that just because its a set of fields, its not someone's garden/private property. We are now putting a huge sign up (hope that helps). AIBU in thinking people whould respect our property?

OP posts:
RunAwayWife · 27/03/2011 20:50

Have you thought of digging a pit, putting in sharpened stakes and covering it with branches?

amyamyamy · 27/03/2011 21:14

"Why do people think that just because its a set of fields, its not someone's garden/private property?"

Well, "fields" are not legally the same thing as "gardens" even if the land physically adjoins or abuts your house/garden. You generally need planning permission to turn agricultural land into a garden....so that may be why people don't think a set of fields is the same thing as someone's garden.

However it is still private property if it is your land, whether or not your garden. On that basis, the public can only lawfully cross if there is a public footpath (assume there isn't) or if they are exercising their freedom to roam on the basis that you are in a designated access area (designated purple on OS maps).

If there are no footpaths and you are not in a designated area then YANBU although the phrasing "I caught" some people sounds a little hostile, frankly Grin I don't suppose they meant you any harm. These are your neighbours, right? Perhaps make friends with them and then you won't need ugly notices.

amyamyamy · 27/03/2011 21:27

ah, just seen you wrote:

"yes we do have two titles, although we have it set up as our garden and its pretty obvious"

Did you get planning permission for that?

SilverScarf · 27/03/2011 21:53

You should get a bear, bears are fierce.

Bubbaluv · 27/03/2011 22:05

These people are your neighbours surely? Could you not just be neighbourly?
It hardly sounds like they were creeping across your back patio.
How are they hurting you?

TheSkiingGardener · 27/03/2011 22:14

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. If it is private land then you don't expect to look out and see strangers on it. It's different if there are access rights but that doesn't sound like it is the case.

I'd agree with putting up signs and seeing if that works.

Original poster
creaseistheword · 27/03/2011 22:26

I think I have mentioned several times they are not our neighbours

The place they went past is literally metres from my house and back door. How would anyone else feel is someone crossed their back garden..?

AS far as planning permission goes, I doubt we need that for structures we cab bring in at night - bench, playhouse, ropeswing. When I say garden, we have our vege plots and fruit trees which fall under the agricultural land description.

OP posts:
MaisyMooCow · 28/03/2011 01:34

Soupdragon PMSL Grin

PenguinArmy · 28/03/2011 01:48

It sounds like if they were walking along your fence the other side of the garden then most people would think fair game.

As another poster said, people are used to being allowed to walk around edge of fields.

No harm in putting up signs, but it easily sounds like people wouldn't know they were offended by walking around it.

It also sounds like most people would walk there having took a wrong turn rather than intentionally.

MoreFruitLoopthanFruitShoot · 28/03/2011 04:51

Crease, just be careful about the garden/agricultural land thing. My parents have just bought a small section of ground to "square off" their back garden. They have been told, in no uncertain terms by the council, that this is agricultural land and that they (the council) can appear at any time to witness that the land is being used for this purpose.

Apparently the council have the right to inspect invoices showing that items grown on the land (ie arable/meat) have been sold in the open market.

So while you'll probably be fine, I would endeavour to keep on the right side of any neighbours!

TechnoKitten · 28/03/2011 05:26

I'd be pretty pissed off if people were walking around what is essentially my back garden.

Try this for a sign?

chuffinheck · 28/03/2011 06:33

Put up a "Beware of the Bull" sign.

Original poster
creaseistheword · 28/03/2011 07:44

thanks frootshoot will do!

OP posts:
Original poster
creaseistheword · 28/03/2011 08:31

By the way, these people dont live anywhere near us or our land. Maybe streets away, not sure. A while back I saw a strange man lurking in the back and walked out to see if he was lost. he sort of ducked behind some trees and I went to see what was happening. My neighbour saw it and came across to follow me, tellling me off about my safety (as men do), and the guy had gone. The person had pushed our fence down and escaped into the next field.
I think it may be the same guy tbh.
Its pretty scary to see someone there as it is landlocked. If you look out onto the area from our official house fence (which is a gate basically). on the right there would be about 5 sets of fields before any road or part and on the left, the same. The lower border is the train line and no-one can get in there as its a massive fence. The only "access" is from our house. So its pretty obvious its attached to the house as its all fenced off with it.
So, i guess we just got a fright as its all fenced off, although there is one horse gate to the next field on the right .
I think we will be making sure we look out for the kids and lock in all the equipment from now on.

OP posts:
amyamyamy · 28/03/2011 09:09

Hmmm....it sounds like more of a security problem then. You obviously don't have loads of people walking across your land as it doesn't go anywhere. If the trespasser was some kind of would-be burglar then signs about it being private land won't help, unfortunately. If it was just someone who was lost then you won't have it happen again. Either way, there is not a lot you can do about it Sad.

Incidentally, if your respective sets of fields adjoin then regardless of the road access, the owners are truly your neighbours. You could find it mutually beneficial to approach them with the hand of friendship and both keep an eye out for each other. Also, you might be reassured to learn that it is "only them" who are in your field and that they have no ill intent.

Your first post came across as a bit proprietorial tbh. Walkers carefully skirting the edge of a field once in a while is pretty innocuous and worth chilling about. Just remember how lucky you are to have lots of land [envious emoticon] ....... not many people have the luxury of owning the land around (and outside) their garden.

But someone unexpected lurking behind a tree when the field doesn't "go anywhere" is, I can appreciate, more disturbing. I hope it doesn't happen again.

purits · 28/03/2011 09:29

"The countryside code used to be that people were allowed to walk along field edges."

Since when? The countryside code is that you stick to public footpaths. There has never been a convention that you make up your own course. In fact, we have had the opposite case. The footpath (on the map) told us to strike across a field but there hadn't been many previous walkers so the way was unclear and the field was undisturbed. Being loathe to be the first to trample the crops, we skirted round the perimeter of the field. The farmer caught us and told us off for deviating from the designated right of way.

ROFL @ being accused of being 'proprietorial' over your, erm, property.Hmm

ScroobiousPip · 28/03/2011 09:48

I think YAB a leetle bit U.

It sounds from your description as if you own a field, and don't have planning permission to use it for anything other than agricultural use so it's not fair to describe the land as a garden. It isn't.

Now, of course, you can put up big 'keep out' signs all over your field but tbh, if people are being sensible, walking round the field edges, not bothering stock etc then it's hardly the end of the world is it?

Apart from anything else, sticking up 'Keep Out' signs is only likely to irritate the neighbours into reporting you to the Council's planning enforcement team. And unless you can demonstrate use of more than 10 years, that's probably not something you want to happen any time soon.

grovel · 28/03/2011 10:55
  1. Welcome people who are wearing Barbours and wellies.
  2. Swear at people who are wearing anoraks and sensible shoes.
  3. Shoot people who are wearing hoodies and trainers.

It's not difficult. It's the countryside code.

Original poster
creaseistheword · 28/03/2011 10:57

Can i mention again these people are not neighbours, nor do they own adjoining fields.

I think its really interesting that private property is considered "fair game" just because it is larger than the usual.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 28/03/2011 11:03

Do naked tai chi two or three times a day and wave with great enthusiasm to them. Beckon them over to you. Use a loud hailer and call to them. Ask them to shed their sinful clothing and join you in a dance of joy.

That should do it

Pagwatch · 28/03/2011 11:04

Crease.
Can I just ask if they are your neighbours. I am not sure you have entirely cleared that up.

Original poster
creaseistheword · 28/03/2011 11:05

Im thinking a large wicker man stylee sculpture might help too

OP posts:
Original poster
creaseistheword · 28/03/2011 11:06

pagwatch Im glad you asked. I wasnt sure if I mentioned that or not.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 28/03/2011 11:07

Yes. That would help.

Get a sound system installed. Sing to them.

Pagwatch · 28/03/2011 11:08

...it is so confusing.

Grin