We’re two households living in North Bovey, a small village on Dartmoor, and we’re facing a deeply distressing legal battle that’s directly threatening our homes.

With the incredible support of friends and neighbours behind us, we’re now asking for help, because after spending many thousands of pounds of our savings in legal fees, we simply can’t keep fighting alone.

The other party has the means to keep this going indefinitely. Sadly, we don’t.

What’s at stake?

A legal claim has been made against us that, if successful, would give the people behind the claim the right to drive vehicles across our lawns and paths - any time, day or night, without warning.

This would mean vehicles passing just feet from windows, stripping away our privacy and turning our homes into thoroughfares. These aren’t public spaces. They’re part of our homes; places we’ve nurtured, where children have played, pets have roamed, and neighbours have gathered. The idea that someone could force access through them is not only invasive but deeply unsettling.

Why this feels so unjust

What makes this even harder to accept is that the people behind the claim already own multiple nearby properties, each with multiple access points.

There is no practical need to cross our land. To us, this feels less about necessity and more about exerting control and power. Using legal pressure and financial advantage to force a result that no reasonable person would consider fair.

Why we’re asking for support

We believe this is an abuse of process, and we’re doing everything we can to resolve it peacefully. But the legal costs are mounting fast. Mediation is the next step, and we’re all committed to engaging in good faith , but need help to stay in the fight.

Quite simply, we need your help to be able to keep fighting and protect our homes from this irrational attack.

We’re not asking for special treatment, just the chance to protect our homes and preserve the right to feel safe and private within them. Every donation helps, no matter the size. And if you’re not able to give, simply sharing this page means the world to us.

How your support will be used.

All funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards covering the legal costs we’re facing in our effort to protect our homes. This includes solicitor fees, mediation expenses, and any necessary court proceedings.

Through it all, the kindness of our community has kept us going. So many people in the village have reached out with advice, support, and encouragement. It’s a reminder of what’s worth protecting; not just our homes, but the values of fairness, respect, and neighbourliness that define North Bovey.

Thank you for standing with us.

Debbie, Caroline & Sheumais