Neighbors claim that the couple "brought it upon themselves" by pursuing this endeavor, as it went against the estate's "one plot, one house" policy.
During the court battle, the McGuinnesses claimed they had been excluded from a local wine society and had been shunned by their neighbors. However, neighbors dispute the existence of such a wine society, stating that it was merely a WhatsApp group where neighbors would inquire if others were available for an evening drink.
Neighbors expressed sympathy for the couple regarding the significant legal costs they now face. Still, they also questioned why the McGuinnesses challenged the agreement they had signed when moving to the estate and why they pursued a course of action that appeared illogical, given the contractual obligations and the availability of other options.
Despite the legal dispute, neighbors emphasized that they did not harbor personal animosity toward the couple and that this situation had not damaged their close-knit community.