A gutted couple said they returned home from their honeymoon to find that someone had stuck a 6ft fence the entire way around their newly-bought, dream-home. That's going to put a dampener on things, isn't it?
Thomas Entwistle, 27, and wife Rebekah, 24, say they were shocked when they came back from their 11-day holiday and found the massive wooden fence erected just 2ft from their front door. I'd say 'shocked' is probably putting it a bit mildly.
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The couple bought the £220,000 property on new estate Persimmon Homes Brook View in Blackburn, just before Christmas.
They say they believe the fence was put up by an angry farmer, who is currently in a dispute with the developer of the estate.
Thomas said: "This was our dream home and now it's turned into a nightmare - it feels like we are imprisoned in our own house by this fence.
"We are being held hostage in a land dispute which is nothing to do with us.
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"Rebekah and I have just started our own business and had to fight to get a mortgage and then to get this house.
"We bought it because of the view which has now been replaced by a huge wooden fence nailed to our own little one.
"Rebekah is always in tears. She is in despair - there was no warning and the fence just appeared.
"It is 2ft from our front window and front door - it's like having the Berlin Wall in front of our home."
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Thomas went on to say he understands that the fence was erected by the owner of nearby Upper Mickle Hay Farm who is in a dispute with Persimmon over land borders.
However, Persimmon insists that none of its development encroaches on land it does not already own. So the situation appears to be deadlocked for the time being, leaving the poor couple living with this:
Now the heart-broken couple are even considering moving, after saying they would never have bought the house if they had known about the trouble in store.
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Thomas said: "We're not even sure we want to live here now.
"Even if the fence gets taken down there is no guarantee it won't come back later or even be extended around the back - we are in fear of that.
"At first I was tearful but now I'm angry. We specifically bought this house, beating off a lot of competition, for its beautiful views and now they've gone.
"We now keep the curtains closed in the front room and spend most of our time upstairs - Rebekah is too upset to be in the living room.
"We just want it sorted out quickly and permanently so we can enjoy our new home in peace."
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A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said: "We are confident none of our development encroaches on land not legitimately within our ownership.
"We understand planning enforcement action is being taken against the neighbouring landowner to address the fence, which has been erected illegally and in breach of planning regulations."
The owner of Upper Mickle Hay Farm has been contacted for comment.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: UK News, Housing, Weird