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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU: A CF neighbour thread

150 replies

perplexedneighbour · 04/12/2019 22:36

OK, so this is a light-hearted(ish) AIBU – but I’d love some interesting advice on this very CF problem. With diagrams, of course.

We were cross, but we’ve decided to take a less stressful attitude. So, please consult my not-to-scale picture. We (US on map) – share the private lane with our other neighbours. None of us owns it, all of us have access rights in our deeds. We are the only people who use the North Exit. And we mostly use South as it’s easier. But North is better for large vans/ building equipment etc.

A couple of months ago, the tree (in bold) next to ‘A’ fell across the ‘A’ road. At the time, the ‘B’ option didn’t exist. CF cut the tree in bits, placed it completely over ‘A’, and strimmed/ dug / pulled out plants to create route B. (CF never uses A or B access.) A is easier than B for big vehicles, and we needed some deliveries, so we moved the tree branches so we could use A again. Next day, CF has put them back, with a sign saying it’s not our tree and we shouldn’t move it. (It’s not CF’s tree either.) We move the sign, and put the tree back – this goes on for several days, CF and us moving this tree every day. (We haven’t spoken to him for a variety of essentially sensible reasons. This is a silent row.) Then we get there one day, and the tree is where we left it, but he has gone and got a tractor, and placed an extremely heavy concrete block on the lane, completely blocking A.

We were pissed off and wondering how to move this block. But as it was making us cross, and he is a proper cunt according to other neighbours, we are thinking that actually, we’ll use his concrete block as a barrier, and build some sort of structure there. That means we effectively claim that whole corner – it’s not ours, but it now can’t be usefully used by anyone else. And it comes with the massive benefit of messing with CF’s head. We can’t let him think he’s won.

Any other suggestions? We are considering any kind of humorous/ passive-aggressive / non-violent protest, which preferably doesn’t involve us talking to him, which we know through experience would do no good and potentially some harm,( ie another concrete block which cuts us off from all access).

AIBU: A CF neighbour thread
OP posts:
ThePawtriarchy · 05/12/2019 07:45

I’d just paint it a sparkly colour and put a gnome on it, like you’re really pleased with it.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 05/12/2019 07:45

Yes to checking with emergency service otherwise start Co-opting the land!

OldEvilOwl · 05/12/2019 07:50

Speak to him?

YetAnotherSpartacus · 05/12/2019 07:57

Does it face his house? If so, paint a giant arse on it, pointing in his direction.

Hoppinggreen · 05/12/2019 08:10

Actually doesnt there were 3
However, I was attempting to be humorous

Queenoftheashes · 05/12/2019 08:31

Paint a dick on the block then report him for fly tipping.

CoraPirbright · 05/12/2019 08:36

Just so so bizarre that he would go to all the trouble of chopping up the fallen tree and then creat a whole other access. Has he put down some sort of tarmac on the ground? If not, what happens when it rains? It will become a quagmire with cars going over it. And what right does he have to do this anyway? None!

I would contact whoever owns the land to see if they can sort it out. Or paint a giant arse on it as Spartacus suggests Grin

PuppyMonkey · 05/12/2019 08:39

Write “Down with this sort of thing” on it?

Or do a colourful Peace and Love hippy style design.Xmas Grin

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 05/12/2019 08:42

Actually doesnt there were 3

Where?

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 05/12/2019 08:42

The CF created "B" as part of this ridiculousness.

Ellmau · 05/12/2019 08:46

So who DOES own it? Also the land which NDN has possibly encroached on illegally to build his new road B? Are you 100% sure it is NDN and not the owner?

Either way I think you need legal advice.

AliceLittle · 05/12/2019 08:47

Is he not just going to start pissing everyone off when large deliveries can't come through?

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 05/12/2019 08:49

Who owns the land on which the fallen tree stood? Is it possible NDN wants to buy this and is looking to extend it by rerouting the road?

custardbear · 05/12/2019 08:49

Who does the road belong to?

How did he build a road (b) so fast, is it fit for purpose? Will it manage the wet, icy winder months?

onalongsabbatical · 05/12/2019 08:56

Sorry if I've missed it but what are 1. 2. and 3?
All facts aside, you've basically got a massive concrete block to decorate in any manner of your choice. What an opportunity! You could even hire/commission an artist for the ideas and execution of something magnificent. And I suspect the better it is, the more you will piss him off! Grin

PuppyMonkey · 05/12/2019 09:01

Ooh ooh, another one. Paint a road or a tunnel carrying on on it, like Wile E Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons.Grin

SchadenfreudePersonified · 05/12/2019 09:03

it comes with the massive benefit of messing with CF’s head

You star!

You absolute bloody STAR!!!!

No suggestions, but am just so impressed with this - this is just the sort of motivation that would give me joy, too.

PuppyMonkey · 05/12/2019 09:05

images.app.goo.gl/1TQ2tL3VScc4Kt7B6

Damntheman · 05/12/2019 09:09

Get a tractor to move the block right in front of his front door. Dick.

But in seriousness - get the fire service to come and assess it. It's very likely that blocking the road will mean a fire engine cannot get to you in the event of a fire and the fire service will give him the bollocking he deserves.

PointlessUsername · 05/12/2019 09:13

But why did he block one road, just to make another?

sonjadog · 05/12/2019 09:27

Paint a mural of you and your family on the side of the concrete block.

MerryGrinchmas1 · 05/12/2019 09:32

I would invite a homeless person to stay there and set them up a wonderfully large tent with lots of lovely things inside

hallohallohallo · 05/12/2019 09:37

Have any of the other neighbours said anything about any of this?

How can he block an access and then build an entire new road in one day on land he doesn't own?

And how the fudge does someone gone and got a tractor, and placed an extremely heavy concrete block on the lane

Confused Where is he finding this stuff at a minute's notice?

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 05/12/2019 09:39

Hi OP, apart from a humorous approach, you need to find out who owns the road. It doesn’t sound like the Council adopted it, but the lane and land the trees are on must belong to someone.

The most sensible answer would be that it’s in the ownership of all the properties equally with everyone having rights of access. Normally you’d know this from the time of purchase as the deeds would inform you of maintenance responsibilities. How long have you lived there? and which house changed hands last?

fivesecondrule · 05/12/2019 09:40

Awww you should arrange a little Christmas get together with the neighbours (minus CF)- get a speaker put some cheesy Christmas music on, mince pies, mulled wine, get everyone to go in Santa hats and put a Christmas tree on the slab with loads of tinsel. Keep shouting really loudly how wonderful CF is creating a party area and that you can't wait for the next get event.