Sycamore Heights was peaceful, until the American Gopher family moved in next door to Arthur Burrows and his family. Arthur is infuriated by the loud and brash neighbours, but his wife, Beatrix, and his daughter, Flora seem to like the new residents. Dr Wince is not happy either, as he was going to obtain the house as buried within the garden is a magic crystal that would make him the most powerful ferret in the world. He and his assistant Sly are determined to make them move out, via haunting or other methods.