CF Neighbour help

[Aholenextdoor]

Have name changed as maybe outing and don’t want to link to past threads

CF neighbour ripped out our 8ft high boundary hedge that had been there for 20 years to separate our front gardens.Well he was planning to rip out all but we objected so he ripped out half on what he thought was his side and also a big chunk of the whole hedge (both our sides) from the front and back to build himself a garden wall/ driveway. We have been left with a very thin hedge with two chunks missing at the front and back.

We have had a boundary survey done as keen to have work done soon and it shows they have built the wall partially in our garden and also states they needed express agreement to remove any of the hedge.

Where do we go from here.... it’s more his attitude and how he has left it I guess. We can go to court - DH wants to as the nDN is a ginormous pr*ck who is fairly aggressive. I don’t really want the hassle and cost (although have house insurance which will cover now we have survey report). I’m just staggered at the attitude where he said I’m going to do what I want.

(Background was poor planning on his extension left little room for wall/drove so he needs to grab every mm he can)

I guess question. Is WWYD? Seems only option is to take him to court to remove wall and replace hedge or leave be. We are also worried he has damaged hedge our side so will eventually die.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

Good luck with it all, it’s a miserable way to spend time and money, what an entitled sod he must be to behave like that.

It is miserable and I really don’t want to but he has just bullied his way into getting his own (illegal way). He is - loosely - in the building trade so hoping he will see sense also as I know for sure I wouldn’t touch a builder who behaved like this or put my own building work at risk as he hadnt taken the correct action. Am assuming his trade is built on reputation

Any chance of a diagram OP. You know how we love a diagram.

I'd love a diagram also ;)

Take him to court-he sounds like he might do anything in the future; hopefully a court case will deter him.

Hopefully he’ll take you seriously if he receives a solicitor’s letter. The trouble is, boundary disputes are very tedious and this could end up being extremely expensive for you all over 15cms!

What outcome do you want? If there is now a wall separating the properties is that worse than a hedge? Can you replant one on your side of the wall? I know it is incredibly annoying, but your stress levels might be better served by letting it go.

I hate it when people bully and it shouldn't matter if it was 2inches or 2 foot, I has stolen some of your land.

Can you write a letter outlining your concerns and request to put right.

If it's ignored, solicitor letter

If ignored court

Since he has ignored the chance to discuss it, I agree that through your solicitor is now the next course of action.

I also agree that you need to get it rectified because otherwise whenever it is that you do sell, a decent solicitor will pick up on the boundary and it may be well become an issue then and the buyers will want it rectified before the purchase goes through (I would).

So is the wall actually on your land? If so go to court re getting it moved at his cost and the cost of making good the damaged area (as in planting new hedge).

If the wall is in his boundary I’d personally be happy. I’d rather have a good, high wall or fence as a boundary than a shared hedge. Add a few more plants to the hedge on your side of the wall?

Hope the solicitor comes up with something to help.