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?

[billybagpuss]

Hi OP, I would pop round as any note can come across as abrupt and angry then things could escalate.

although how to start with the 'you were supposed to ask first, you've cut down my hedge and how dare you dump all the rubbish in our field' without sounding aggressive will take a great lesson in diplomacy. Let us know how things go.

[eddielizzard]

dumping garden waste from their garden on your land - not on. cutting your brambles and hedge, when you told them to maintain it, on your land is right. clippings belong to the owner of the land of the plant they were clipped from.

they should have asked, yes. they might have just heard 'maintain it yourself' and forgotten that you asked them to talk to you first.

depending on whether it's their garden rubbish or not would depend on whether you go in guns blazing. i'd go back and check the rubbish heap. otherwise they've done you a service by maintaining that area...

[lulu12345]

I’m astonished at the suggestions of solicitors letters, bonfires etc. This isn’t a straightforward issue and your neighbours might genuinely believe that it should be your responsibility to trim the brambles. But even if not, surely it’s not worth starting a war with neighbours over something so petty?! What if you need to rely on their goodwill or help in the future? I would just get over your irritation, be the mature adult and go round and speak to them sensibly about it. Definitely face to face.

[notapizzaeater]

Before you go wading in can you check the boundary online ? Have you plans/deeds ?

[FlippingFoal]

To all those saying to check the boundary - the OP has already said that the hedge was the original boundary line then they added stock fencing to it 15 years ago. The boundary is clear.

[TryAgainAndAgain]

To all those saying to check the boundary - the OP has already said that the hedge was the original boundary line then they added stock fencing to it 15 years ago. The boundary is clear

The OP said the hedge marked the boundary but she also said she didn't know who owned it. That's why posters are suggesting she find out. It may not be possible to ascertain for sure but it's worth checking.

[user187656748]

office copy file plan can be accessed online (land registry) for £3. It will show the boundaries.