Green regulatory determination - Your opinion?

We have 5 new buildings on the street. Our development plan states that in the rear part of the , traditional orchard meadows are mandatory. For each of the plots, the number and size of the fruit trees to be planted are specified in detail. The builders have 1 year to carry out the plantings.

Instead of the 9 fruit trees, a pool is being built. That’s quite a difference, I would say.

And not only I would agree. Probably also the building authority employee, who has completed a special training course to operate the control photo drone.

Personally, I would honestly measure with double standards here: if the rule violator is part of the village community and otherwise contributes to the pleasant living there, then I would address him at the shop after the choir rehearsal about which little trees he chose and how well they took. On the other hand, if it is someone who considers rule compliance to be narrow-minded nonsense and strictly lives by the motto "Bosses don’t signal before turning," then I would probably help him come to his senses. Because as you already hinted with ...

On the other hand, I am already annoyed by the first garden of horrors that is just being created, where the actual orchard meadow is being dug up for a mega pool with a terrace.

... the pool could only be the tip of the iceberg, and soon a floodlight system in the gravel front yard will illuminate the gold chain villa. Such people need headwind, in the sense of Wolfgang Grupp's "as long as the problem is still small."

Why shouldn't my opinion matter? I am also interested in the neighbor's opinion.

If you had planned to build a pool there, and your neighbor spoke to you about it, would you let that influence you?

Would he have space for the trees besides the pool? Then I would wait and see if he plants them and maybe bring it up with him on occasion.

But basically, I would agree with your husband: it's none of your business.

Would you do your planting independently of the neighbor? Or only if he has to?

That's not the question. I can understand when someone resists the requirements and it really pisses off someone else who values them exactly when the other doesn’t comply. Pool vs. garden design: that's exactly what it’s about. Fancy-schmancy, but definitely no windfall fruit… and anyone who believes that fruit trees will still be planted around the pool should study the citizens. As a neighbor, you probably have to consider where you stand with your opinion. It’s a legitimate interest and respect to those who complain publicly!

Maybe he will still plant the 9 fruit trees around the pool.

I also wouldn’t report it to the building authority, but I would definitely ask how his plans (and certainly the plans of the other neighbor) look regarding the implementation of this requirement. For example, one should perhaps coordinate who plants what where along the 2m line in the area bordering the neighbor. And, if you’re interested in somewhat larger trees, it would also make sense to coordinate procurement with 1 or 2 neighbors and maybe arrange a suitable delivery from a nursery.

Thank you very much for the various opinions so far.

Just by the way, we have been living here for 10 years now and have more than doubled the requirements. So yes, we implement the planting specifications even more strictly than required.

What surprises me is the opinion expressed here and there that one does not have to comply with the requirements of the development plan. Moreover, one is already stigmatized as a snitch in advance if one supports the plans. I did not expect that.

I also wonder whether the 5 builders in our street have even read the development plan. Most probably do not care. Not everyone is as crazy as some here (myself included).

I also wouldn't report it to the building authority,

I might have to reconsider if it really gets out of hand and none of the neighbors adhere to it. I would probably think again about how to proceed. Maybe also try to find out from the building authority how seriously they themselves take these regulations. Maybe just ask how it looks regarding the felling of your fruit trees.