Broadback writes
The idea is good, however there are 2 negatives. First I live in the
country, so not as much chance unless they think it worthwhile to
drive. Secondly it is very poor soil, not only that, is is full of
gravel, that is lots and lots of of pebbles, from wee ones to large,
impossible to get a spade into the ground. A fork can be worked in with
effort, but a pickaxe is really the tool.

In that case, you may be lucky with the nettles. Alternatively, is there
any way you could get someone to plant the area with trees and shrubs?
Lower maintenance than grass

Could be worth discussing the problem with the neighbours, if you are
not at daggers drawn with them. eg, if you did plant it with shrubs,
would they be happy to trim shrubs that came over the boundary?
--
Kay