Nuisance neighbours help needed please (also in property section sorry it was suggested I try here)

[ANTagony]

I had to sell my home after a long struggle to keep hold of it post my husband walking out, emptying the bank account. When I had it valued the agent suggested getting planning and selling the garden separately. I got planning and had both the house and land under offer separately.

The house sale went through with provision for access to the building plot and various easements. The house buyers were given copies of the plans and so were fully aware of the permission and proposal to build.

The sale on the land fell through - I don't fully know why but the solicitors handling the house sale did leave it three months to split the title of the house and land and the land buyers did get frustrated.

Since then there has been a lot of interest and its been under offer again - falling through again mysteriously.

Time has gone on and I'm remarried and we again have a roof over our heads. We've borrowed money on the expectation the land has a value so we're keen to get it sold.

So another viewing this weekend, a second viewing - the couple were excitedly talking numbers and had sorted their finances. Walk in next door neighbours who've brought my old house. They have said they will contest any development on the land (we have permission they new about when they brought it) and block access to the land, contest access even though its part of the contract of sale from when they brought the house. They have boasted how they've managed to scare of the other purchasers and will continue to do so. This has been fed back from the couple who wanted to warn me but politely have withdrawn interest.

They (the house buyers) have offered me half the asking price for the land. Its already very well priced. I feel like I'm being blackmailed and bullied. They have been in no way mislead, they got the house for a really good price.

The thing is if I were a buyer I would just walk away. I don't think they have any legal leg to stand on but you wouldn't want to buy a plot with neighbours who have promised to make your life hell

Any guidance on what I can legally do gratefully received.

Sell to a developer

and get your solicitor to write a very firm letter pointing out the rights you have to access, run services etc across their land and threaten them with legal proceedings if they try to deny these rights.

Can you increase the planning permission on the land to build flats? And then sell to a developer.

I can be a very antagonistic person when threatened so I would probably rent it for £1 to a group of 16-18 year olds to camp on for the summer. Bet that'd shut the fuckers up.

You mean bought not brought.

Well they are behaving like they can move mountains if they could physically pick it up (the house they bought!) and plonk it on the plot to take possession I'm sure they would.

You're quite right my writing is rather bad. I can't see it when I proof read.

Now I've just seen what I think is another one. oops

I don't think flats would get permission in the area of detached and semi detached housing. The other problem would be lack of land to up the parking. Its a nice thought but a no go.

Get your solicitor involved. Get him to write them a stiff letter threatening that they will have to pay damages unless they either desist or buy the land at the full price.

I agree its unlikely that you could get permission for a whole load of flats if its not in keeping with the area, but the key thing here is to make life as uncomfortable for the neighbour as possible. They are playing dirty - so play dirty back. I like the idea of getting some local teenagers to camp out there for a few nights. Or get a friend to start repairing cars on it. With music blasting as he works. Then when they complain to you, just say 'Well, we're looking at different possibilities for the land now, as its proving difficult to sell!!'

In all seriousness though - get your solicitor onto them. They are bullies who are threatening you and they need stopping.

Thank you for all your replies. I've written down as many facts, dates, times etc as I can and passed it onto my solicitor - who's passed it on to one of the partners in her firm who she feels is more skilled in this area. Hopefully we'll come up with a way forward!