Inverness neighbours in Drakies at war with building giant Springfield over boundary fence that created a weed-ridden ‘no-man’s land’ eyesore next to their gardens
Eight Inverness neighbours are locked in a bitter dispute with a housing developer accused of creating a weed-ridden “no-man’s land” beyond their garden fence.
They say builders Springfield raised the back garden boundary roughly a metre short of where title deeds for the new-build plots at Thistle Drive show it should be.
In doing so, seven of the eight neighbours have been left without access to the unsightly stretch between them and Drakies Avenue.
Springfield insists it has done everything by the book.
The stony eye-sore was overrun by a “mass of weeds and invasive plants” during the summer.
Attempts to persuade Springfield to shift the wooden rear fence and remedy the mess are said to have fallen on deaf ears.
Neighbours accuse Springfield of being "arrogant and dismissive" and "disgracefully rude" in dealings.
Professor Christopher Liu OBE, a cornea specialist at the nearby National Treatment Centre and other UK hospitals, is one of the householders.
He estimated that moving and lengthening the fence would cost residents up to £3000 per home.
Professor Liu of 8 Thistle Drive said: “We were originally told the land was to be donated to Drakies Avenue residents. After the transaction, they told us ‘actually that land is yours’.
“We have no access and it has since sprouted in weeds.
“One neighbour managed to get them to build a gate in the back fence so she could access the extra land.
“The wish of all the owners is for them to move and elongate the fencing to where it should be so we can have slightly larger gardens without the mass of weeds and invasive plant species.
“It is illogical to put a fence where the boundary isn’t. They are trying to get us on a technicality. Even if correct, they have a moral obligation to us.
“They could do that work quite cheaply in-house, but they are refusing to budge.
“It’s constant worry and stress. There are other public sector workers here and we just want to do our jobs and look after our patients.”
Marie-Anne and Bob Gray, who live at 10 Thistle Drive, have been shocked by Springfield’s intransigence.
Mrs Gray said: “We bought the house on plans, essentially. We asked for a copy of the plot which showed the boundary and the space between our plot and the neighbours.
“We queried it and were told it wouldn’t be part of our deeds. It was no-man’s land and could be reclaimed either by us or the neighbours.
“Springfield said they would maintain it until it was clear whose property it would be.
“It was left in limbo. Then we got our house deeds from the solicitors nine or 10 months later showing the land actually belongs to us.
“Springfield were then adamant that was what they had sold to us and it was up to them where they put the fence.
“It has been extremely frustrating. They are massive developers and it is essentially a money-saving exercise. It is just not fair.”
Lisa Hutchison, of 7 Thistle Drive, said: “The management at Springfield have been very dismissive.
“The weeds last summer, I’m not exaggerating, were fence-high. There’s willow herb and ground elder which is very difficult to get rid of.
“I think it is disgracefully rude of Springfield who have taken £290,000 and £315,000 each for these properties.
“I’ve worked hard all my life to save up to live somewhere I’m happy with. They have been arrogant and dismissive.”
The Springfield Group is one of the largest homebuilders in Scotland and is made up of six subsidiaries, including Tulloch Homes.
A Springfield spokeswoman said: “We have been in contact with residents regarding concerns at our Drakies development. As promised, we have conducted a thorough review of the boundary and titles plans.
“We are confident that the development, including the fences, were constructed in accordance with the approved sales drawings. The fences were positioned in agreement with each individual homeowner and confirmed by their solicitors.
“We pride ourselves on our high levels of customer satisfaction and will continue to engage openly and transparently with residents at Drakies to help ensure the boundary issues raised are well understood.”
