To replace the hedge with a fence - Neighbour issues

[cocoblu]

We moved into our house May last year, we are slowly decorating to how we want it, the only issue is the garden. We are mid terrace, neighbours on the right as you face the house have a lovely high hedge 6ft, no issues. Neighbour on other side is another matter, the hedge on this side is about 4ft high. This may not be exact but I am 5ft and I can see over the hedge and it's about chest height so may be a little more. Dh and I want our privacy and have been trying to grow the hedge upwards but neighbour keeps cutting it back (he comes into our garden to do it when we are both at work) we have had a number of issues with this neighbour (in his late 70s but active) washing regularly gets marked due to him spraying his garden, he had previously requested our neighbour cut his hedge back so his wife could look over the garden, neighbour refused and they haven't spoken since. We have had parkng issues with him and him putting a bedstead hurdle at the back of both our house "to prevent burglars" Aibu to have the hedge taken out and replaced with a 6ft high fence and not discuss it with him? (Hedge roots are on our side of the boundary)

Remember that there are height restrictions on barrier fences/walls and check your local council's planning website for this. If/when your budget runs to it plant wire-trained pollarded (fruit) trees along the fence line. They'll make a screen above fence level height giving you extra privacy and there's no issue with height restrictions. You can get them cheaper direct from nurseries/growers.

Has he been asked to stop cutting the hedge?

Before putting up a fence I would speak to him and explain what you've said here, I'm sure he'd rather let the hedge grow to 6 ft instead of having a fence there. There is no reason for a fence at all, if the hedge belongs to you then you should ask him not to keep cutting it so low.

Once he knows that a fence is the alternative I'm sure he would oblige.

Seems a shame to lose a hedge - great natural resource - but it's your property. A trellis with a climber sounds a good compromise. If he only talks to the Man of the House I would be irritated whether he's moaning on or not.

Run it by him before actingnotasking permission just warning him in advance.

Separately it would bug me if he's walking into your garden and hacking the hedge when you're out! Bit Lord of the Manor! He should be glad he has nice tidy neighbours- could have had noisy Hells Angels or a big family move in with a pack of jack russell terriers and a trampoline, never mind a washing line at the wrong end of the garden!

Any negative comments on any topic, "Well you're entitled to your opinion"

The bit I'm struggling with is your need for privacy in the garden when you live in a terraced house. I'd have thought a 4/5 foot hedge was more than adequate

My DSis lives in a terraced house and one neighbour hates cats in the garden so has built a high Colditz style, rough edged fence along the length of the boundary. She doesn't seem to cotton on that the cats stroll in at the open foot of her territory and think oh that looks fascinating and make themselves cosy in the sun regardless .

YANBU - put up the fence and don't tell him, it's none of his business if it's on your side. I would take the day off and like someone suggested above - warn whoever's putting the fence up that he may be a bit of bother but have the deeds ready and there's nothing he can do. If he kicks up a fuss bring up the fact that he kept cutting down the hedge even though you didn't want him to so this is unfortunatley what you have to do.

Fuck the fence - build a wall

Re covenants on the deeds - our solicitor when we bought our current place (lots of odd covenants, I'm not allowed to burn lime for example) told us that they are rarely enforced and must be enforced by the person who created the covenant. In practice this means if it's more than 50 years old you can ignore it. I believe you can get insurance against being taken to court over a covenant.

Yeah, go trump on him, he sounds awful.

It must be really annoying but before ripping out your hedge tell him he does not have your permission to enter your garden and that you want the hedge to be two feet higher. That if he does not stop cutting the hedge, your only alternative will be to rip it out and replace with a fence. His choice. End of conversation.

Not allowed to burn lime, sentia crikey that's probably one of your top hobbies eh?

He has been told on more than one occasion not to come in our garden and also not to cut the hedge. We were worried from a safety point of view if he had an accident whilst on our property but I think he thought my Dh was joking
I'm going to broach a compromise with him of growing the hedge, that's if we will discuss it with me what with me being a mere woman☺ if there's no joy it will have to be a fence!

Donkeys, yes it was disappointing when we discovered we weren't allowed to do it!

whether it's your hedge or not, i think it would be better to put up a cheap fence and then replace the hedge when he pops his clogs. he probably enjoys his bit of 'gardening' and it's worth it just to avoid a dispute having to be logged when you sell. If it IS your hedge then make sure it's in writing and he can't make any claims on it.