Hi op, we have a high hedge for privacy reasons as we adjoin a courtyard where we suffered anti social behaviour and it was an absolute last resort. We are at the bottom of a hill and the courtyard is above us so overlooked our garden.
New neighbours moved in and moaned about the hedge which was there when they chose to buy -they got the property cheaply. They also complain about trees (not ours) birds making a noise and parking from the nearby residential home which was also there when they bought.
The 2m rule is not strictly imposed by the Council. If you go into detail there are some complex measurements and other issues they take into account. Our hedge is not in front of their house - it starts after the last window as we wanted to avoid loss of light to the property concerned.
Although they have been a real pain in the butt since they moved in, we agreed to reduce the hedge. They said they would like to contribute, but of course after we paid the contractor this was never forthcoming. I did not ask for money.
They tried to use right to light, but there is no right to light under common law, a little like people think they have a right to a view. I am a reasonable person, did my best but getting a letter would really piss me off op.
I think things have got out of control and she is avoiding having to pay for something that does not affect her at the moment. I would suggest that you approach her and ask if she would please reduce the height and offer to pay as a one off not an ongoing maintenance situation. I assume the previous neighbours paid for the works.
Yes, you could go to the Council. Ours told me they deal with very few of these cases often because there is an initial outlay of several hundred pounds. Why don't you speak to your council first and view their documentation rather than often conflicting advice on the internet.
I can see both points of view here. Just offering another perspective. Again, timing is all.