Two neighbours on Urk faced each other in court for the second time in less than two years over an inheritance boundary, a fence, shrubs and maintenance of a barn. The barn owner wants access to the neighbour’s garden to maintain the rear of the shed and roof, move plantings and have a drainpipe replaced. The pipe was removed because it partly extended over the neighbour’s land. He said the dispute was hindering the sale of his home, which has been on the market since May.

The other neighbours said the fence and shrubs stood on their own land and that removing them could cause thousands of euros in costs and damage. They said the renovations had reduced privacy in their gardens and that the shrubs had been planted to restore it; they also complained about cameras, while the barn owner said one camera only showed his driveway. The parties did not reach an agreement after speaking outside the courtroom. The judge is due to rule on 10 November.