To think my neighbours are CF's

[stayathomegardener]

So... new neighbours moved in about six months ago.
They are not next door, we are on a farm so they are up the road but our land adjoins their garden.
That particular piece of land is mixed woodland.
I first met them when they came round and asked us to cut the brambles down next to their garden.
I was slightly taken aback and explained that the only reason brambles grow there is that we cleared a 5m strip of trees for the previous neighbours so they were not overshadowed, because there is no tree cover to shade out the weeds they grow.
Neighbour appeared fairly shocked that clearing this area was not something we planned to do, I did say they were welcome to cut the brambles down.
Anyway gave it some thought and went round the next evening to say look we will clear it this time but if you want it maintained you need to do it yourselves in future. All I ask is you let us know if you need access.

At the weekend I noticed not only have they been round but have cut the boundary hedge down to half it's height cleared all the weeds/ivy away from their garden and dumped it in a very neat line in the field (the neatness annoyed me even more)
The pile of rubbish is 30m long by a metre high.

CF's?
And what next?

[danTDM]

I'm also totally confused.

Why are they CF's and what have they done that is wrong? By law they HAVE to return trimmings.

YOU sound wrong. Sorry.

[RatherBeRiding]

I think you need to firmly establish ownership of the hedge. I am fairly certain that hedges on agricultural land cannot just be uprooted on a whim, and require permission from the Rural Payments Agency (assuming you claim Basic Payment Scheme?). There are also, as you will know, strict regulations about the timing of hedge cutting (agricultural hedges rather than garden hedges) as they cannot be cut back during bird nesting season.

[liloland]

So they trespassed on your land to cut back your hedge without permission?

[danTDM]

I agree. You need to maintain your land and take responsibility.

[TryAgainAndAgain]

I think your suggested note sounds aggressive and pompous. Even if you are in the right then it's the type of note that could just cause more trouble.


Perhaps, if it's possible, it would be best to work out who actually own the Hedge and go from there.

If it's there hedge then I think you can ask them not to dump anything on your land

[SoupDragon]

You need to maintain your land and take responsibility.

Actually, she doesn't need to maintain anything.

[RadioGaGoo]

The OP doesn't have to maintain anything on their own land if they don't want, especially if its rural land that wouldnt suit domestication. The neighbour can cut anything that strays from the OP's land onto their land and return the cuttings. Sounds like the neighbours wanted a more picturesque view so when OP said that they were not going to maintain the land, they offered to do so instead. OP said yes, on the basis that they let them know when they would need access onto the land. They didnt let OP know and then landscaped the OP's land to their own taste, without even asking the OP how much to take back and left the OP the trimmings to clean up.

They are definitely the CF's.

[TryAgainAndAgain]

Lol, I haven't missed the irony that my post sounds pompous too 😂😂😂😂

[ADishBestEatenCold]

"Also please be aware that the hedge is a boundary hedge"

Are you sure the hedge is the boundary, and not the fence. Would be good for you to know.

For example, if the hedge is the boundary, whoever is on the fence side of the hedge, will own the fence in it's entirety (both sides, and the strip of land between the fence and the hedge.

However, if the fence is the boundary, whoever is on the hedge side of the hedge, will own the hedge in it's entirety (both sides), and the strip of land between the hedge and the fence.

IYSWIM.

Field hedges are not always indication of the boundary, and were/are often planted inside the boundary. It's worth being sure, as if the boundary is the fence, and you are on the hedge side of the fence, you would be effectively doing yourself out of (what looks like) a meter strip of your own land.

[starfishmummy]

I'm confused too.

I think some discussion needs to be had about where the boundary is - hedge or fence - and who owns what.

You can't complain they've cut the hedge down if it's not yours.

[G120810]

Please think before acting as these type of things escalate into wars and make life hell explain this to them and ask if they wouldn't do it again they may not know they are not allowed to do this but for an easy life and not feeling trapped in your home arguing all the time it's not that bad of an issue yes it's angered you but speak to them and explain x

[Haffdonga]

Legally the hedge and weeds were on your land and so belong to you. Ironically the neighbours would have been breaking the law in removing them. Your hedge, your hedge clippings.

(And from the photo it looks like they've done a good job. You could thank them.)

[ADishBestEatenCold]

"By law they HAVE to return trimmings."

No, that is incorrect, danTDM. If the hedge belongs to OP, then the neighbour may cut back overhang and, by law, must offer the trimmings to OP, the hedge owner, but if OP doesn't want them, the trimmer/neighbour must dispose of them themselves.

[RadioGaGoo]

Both the OP and neighbours security to know who owns what because the neighbours asked the OP to cut the brambles and was shocked that the OP was not planning to clear the land... which is mixed woodland.

[RadioGaGoo]

Security? Seem to.

[charlestonchaplin]

The cuttings should be offered back to the owner, not dumped on their property. Offered means, 'Do you want these? No? Okay, I'll get rid.' Because the cuttings may have value to the owner (fruit, firewood). Then again they may not. I wish people would get this right and stop parroting their internet legal education.

OP isn't very good at giving a clear story, but she has been clear that she wasn't informed before they accessed the land. That is just a really basic courtesy. So she does have reason to be annoyed.

For sure, if you let this pass they will continue to dump vegetation on your land. Either they will think you don't care, or they will think you do but lack the balls to do anything about it.

[danTDM]

This is a ridiculous post and cray cray toing and froing.

Find out WHO OWNS THE HEDGE.

That is all there it to it. You don't seem to know this. Any comments are therefore redundant

To have a debate about a hedge when it MIGHT not even be yours is a waste of everyones time.

[Bluelady]

My thnking is the same as yours, Haffdonga. I also don't understand why all the fuss over organic waste that will rot down anyway. If it was old mattresses it would be different. I think whatever they'd done ✅ t would have been wrong.

[Bluelady]

Where did that tick come from?!

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

Just be a bit careful as they're maintaining your land they may have grounds to try to legally take it?!
No they can’t because OP gave permission which negates any future claim of adverse possession.
And ADish is correct. In fact, just dumping the cuttings without asking if they’re wanted, constitutes fly-tipping.
However, I do think it all sounds like there could just be a misunderstanding. Go round and have a friendly chat, sending a letter, no matter how polite, is a bit too formal and potentially could feel confrontational to them. You don’t want this to be the beginning of years of problems.

[charlestonchaplin]

It may not be possible to find out who owns the hedge without an expensive survey. Other stuff was dumped though, Dan. It isn't all about the hedge.

[Doje]

I'd be a bit put out that they came over without asking permission, but otherwise I'd be thanking them for doing all that work - that's a lot of clearing!

I'd go over (no notes, always better to do these things in person, no matter how awkward it is) say thanks, but next time can you please just check with us first.

For the record, if anyone wants to tidy up my garden, I'd be ok with that.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

That would be all well and good, Doje, if OP had actually wanted the land cleared, which she didn't! Thanking them would be inappropriate and might even encourage them to do more...

[charlestonchaplin]

OP describes it as 'mixed woodland'. I don't think she was going for the suburban look. It is a farm after all, and wildlife needs vegetation to thrive.

[charlestonchaplin]

Cross post.