ChatterBank0 min ago
Hedgerow
Hello Everyone,
I live in a dethatched house, with gardens to 3 sides. At the bottom of my back garden there is a hedgerow which borders onto a row of approx 10 terrace houses. The hedgerow is on my land. The hedgerow is quite high - approx 15 feet. It's this height partly because it was very tall when I purchased the property, partly because it gives me plenty of privacy and partly because its never been an issue with any of the neighbours.
The other day one of the neighbours knocked on my front door and very politely asked if I minded if she cut the hedge. She said it would be "mainly from our side", ie from from her side. I said yes that's fine. ....anyway 2 days later I look out from my kitchen window to see that a 8ft x 8ft section has been cut, from the top, right through the fence, 95% on my side. Now I have a hedge that runs along the back of my house, with a huge hole cut out of it. I was certainly never asked if this level of work could be carried out and although the hedge was high, I was never consulted, or given chance to remedy it....as no one had ever mentioned it. I was planning on selling the house in the near future - this summer, hopefully, but there is now no chance of that!
I do not want to level the hedge to the same level (although maybe it is an option in the longer term) as there are nesting birds in the hedge.
Anyone any ideas...where do I stand legally? And how do I remedy this problem.
I live in a dethatched house, with gardens to 3 sides. At the bottom of my back garden there is a hedgerow which borders onto a row of approx 10 terrace houses. The hedgerow is on my land. The hedgerow is quite high - approx 15 feet. It's this height partly because it was very tall when I purchased the property, partly because it gives me plenty of privacy and partly because its never been an issue with any of the neighbours.
The other day one of the neighbours knocked on my front door and very politely asked if I minded if she cut the hedge. She said it would be "mainly from our side", ie from from her side. I said yes that's fine. ....anyway 2 days later I look out from my kitchen window to see that a 8ft x 8ft section has been cut, from the top, right through the fence, 95% on my side. Now I have a hedge that runs along the back of my house, with a huge hole cut out of it. I was certainly never asked if this level of work could be carried out and although the hedge was high, I was never consulted, or given chance to remedy it....as no one had ever mentioned it. I was planning on selling the house in the near future - this summer, hopefully, but there is now no chance of that!
I do not want to level the hedge to the same level (although maybe it is an option in the longer term) as there are nesting birds in the hedge.
Anyone any ideas...where do I stand legally? And how do I remedy this problem.
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I didn't see the cutting take place. Heres a link with a pic
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Bednobs: I see your point, which is true. But it has stopped me from moving, and forced me to change my plans for retirement, or at least put them on hold. It has flagged up a problem neighbour, which should be disclosed when selling...as if any potential buyer, who were to view the property wouldn't be able to guess that they were a problem.... While I am certainly not after falling out with neighbours (or with anyone) I do feel that this may of left me with no choice - it came to me, and could of been avoided
If anyone had mentioned the height I would of consulted all of the neighbours and the local authority...Who I deal with regularly regarding a tree in my front garden which has a TPO on it. I am certainly not trying to get out of any responsibility or cost....but I was never given the chance to act. I was never consulted about the height, by anyone, not by neighbours, not by the LA.
I feel that legal action, although potentially costly, may at least get them to think twice next time...theres nothing like a 'dent in your wallet' to get the grey matter working! And of course, I would pass the costs on to them.
If anyone had mentioned the height I would of consulted all of the neighbours and the local authority...Who I deal with regularly regarding a tree in my front garden which has a TPO on it. I am certainly not trying to get out of any responsibility or cost....but I was never given the chance to act. I was never consulted about the height, by anyone, not by neighbours, not by the LA.
I feel that legal action, although potentially costly, may at least get them to think twice next time...theres nothing like a 'dent in your wallet' to get the grey matter working! And of course, I would pass the costs on to them.
but it'll dent your wallet too. This is just a misunderstanding - they thought they had your permission; you didnt think you'd given permission for that
I think it might be a bit OTT to say it's prevented you selling your house. Why dont you get an agent rund and ask them for a valuation and ask them if the awful hedge makes any difference
I think it might be a bit OTT to say it's prevented you selling your house. Why dont you get an agent rund and ask them for a valuation and ask them if the awful hedge makes any difference
I can’t honestly think of anything that can be done other than to have it reduced to that level throughout.
The neighbour asked if they could cut it, but not enough detail gathered or offered to prevent this.
No amount of legal action or contact with the council about nesting birds will fix it now.
It’s probably in everyone’s best interests to reduce the height of it as 8 ft still offers a good amount of privacy but is not blocking anyone’s light.
The neighbour asked if they could cut it, but not enough detail gathered or offered to prevent this.
No amount of legal action or contact with the council about nesting birds will fix it now.
It’s probably in everyone’s best interests to reduce the height of it as 8 ft still offers a good amount of privacy but is not blocking anyone’s light.
