Fence and boundary help!

[pyjamafashionista]

Our neighbours took down all the bushes between our bungalows and have installed a fence. They asked if they could demolish the brick arch on the side of our bungalow which had a gate on, to enable them to clear the overhrown bushes. We were in the middle of renovations and so agreed as we didn't want to keep the arch anyway.
They have now erected the fence, but our path to the side, and only access is ridiculous, to the point we can only just get a mower down! The gate that was previously on the side of our bungalow (which we hoped to put back up) is now about 10 inches out, and so it looks like we have lost about 10 inches of width to our side access/path 😟
We have the deeds, but can't find any exact measurements just general outlines.
Does anyone on here have any advice? Should we speak to the neighbours and explain our gate won't reattach as the path is too narrow now since they have erected a fence? Offer to pay to have the fence moved? We don't want to cause a huge fuss, but ultimately they have potentially left us with a tiny pathway and it's our only access to the rear. 😢

They can’t steal your land. They need to move the fence and put the boundary back where it was, and they pay for it.

It would have been a lot easier if you'd closely observed them when the fence was going up. You'll have to challenge them, you know where the gate was originally.

You need to talk to them first.

Talk to them explain they have not put the fence where it was and your issue with the gate/access. I would make it clear you do nkt accept it politely and firmly. It would have helped if you were there when it went up . This could get very difficult.

Show then gate not reattaching. Take lots of photos

Do they have a small garden (removing hedges etc looks like they want a bigger one.

Can you post a diagram OP? It does sound like they have cheekily nicked a bit of your land. You might have a bit of a battle on your hands.

Talk to them immediately or you will make this difficult. If they have indeed land grabbed - get them to move the fence back.

You need to get this sorted pronto or you will have huge problems when you try to sell.

Yes you definitely need to talk to them about this. It might be a mistake or it might be deliberate so I would go in imagining as if it was an honest mistake, explain things from your point of view and don't leave the issue until you have the access as it was before. They can't remove a hedge (which takes up more room than a fence) but leave you with narrower access. That should be clear to them if you explain it clearly.

@pyjamafashionista have you managed to speak to them?

Family member going through similar thing, mature hedge (that belonged to my family member) was about 4ft wide and neighbours removed without permission and are now using the land to plant vegetables. Deeds only indicate the boundary.
Speak to your insurance company, you should have legal cover. Any photos / street view / etc will be very helpful.
My family member currently 18 months in to the dispute so it’s not quick. Neither of you can sell whilst in dispute so worth considering.