Caleo, they are objecting because, and I quote, "Mr YYY and his wife always kept the garden beautiful and they simply CANNOT be allowed to dig it up"! To which I said the new people owned the house now and could do as they liked, I also. pointed out that it would enable them to park their car off the road.
The new neighbours do tend the garden at present but their main concern is to be able to have both vehicles off the road, quite a few house owners have done this over the years, including myself. The new neighbours are leaving the boundary border alone, there is ample space otherwise, so there will still be a small garden of sorts.
It was the expectation that I should speak to the new neighbours that riled me most and when I discovered there was to be a petition I was furious. I want no part in it as it is so unfair.
One of the new neighbours is at home today and I am going to invite her in for a coffee and explain what's going on, I need them both to know that I have no part in all this. Seemingly, these two vindictive people have a past history for mischief making as they don't like change and are of the mentality that they've lived here the longest and we should all do their bidding.