‘Childish’ yard access fight costs couple £200k

RIGHT OF WAY The yard A COUPLE who placed pot plants in their front yard in a “childish” bid to block a neighbour’s access face an estimated £200,000 legal bill.

Chris Hill and wife Susan fought a “long and wearying” battle with Grant Shortland as they tried “little by little” to whittle away his right of way to boost the value of their own home. They positioned pot plants, a barbecue, children’s toys and furniture in such a way as to cause “maximum inconvenience”, a judge said.

Police were contacted around 200 times over the row at the property in Wincanton, Somerset. High Court Judge Paul Matthews ruled Mr Shortland had a right of way and ordered the Hills to pay 90% of his legal costs which, added to their own, will cost them around £200,000.

Judge Matthews slammed their sense of “entitlement” and said: “It is childish behaviour.”