My Hedge, my choice?

DanG1300

Bendy_House said:

Yup, super-considerate Dan. SuperDan.

Everything as said above. To hopefully kill further discussion, I'd be looking at turning the issue around and putting the onus on them to prove the BS they are claiming. Nicely, of course. "I'm absolutely certain that I am within my rights to do this, but I am happy to look at any evidence you can present to the contrary." Then practice your most disparaging stare with raised, questioning, eyebrows.

Whatever BS they come out with, just calmly reply, "Evidence..."

One issue, as pointed out above, what if they decide to go Leylandii instead? Would this be an issue for you, or is it mainly about gaining that lost bit of garden? If it could be an issue, then - yes - you may be able to prevent it from growing too high, but who wants that hassle? So - your call - you may want to consider suggesting an alternative screening plant of limited achievable height and depth - clumping bamboo, for example? Port laurel?

The sun shines past my house and onto the hedge, so even if they plant something I have my garden and the hedge will be nicely illuminated, I do plan to plant some mature fruit trees anyway because I want to replace lost habitat and encourage bio diversity in my garden.
You're definitely right re asking them to prove the rights to the hedge. 
Ultimately its a small village and we plan to be here for a while so it does help to keep people happy, but yeah if they decide to be awkward then they can get lost and ill do what I want basically.
Thanks to everyone for the replies 

Rdwill

Just be careful they don't get a tree preservation order put on them, if I were you I'd be cutting them down now just in case.

Some people are just like this, when I wanted to build my extension all was within permitted development, I may or may not have needed a party wall agreement, but I got one anyway at my expense. I went on a real charm offensive explaining plans, offering guarantees if any damage did occur etc etc. asking what they wanted to keep them happy, but nothing would work, they just didn't want me to build.

The neighbour (and her family) she's a 78 year old woman, did everything she could to upset the process, shouting at the building staff, filming them, badgering the Party Wall surveyors (they got fed up with her) and so on.

So I built my extension and we are very pleased with it. Unfortunately, I now wouldn't p on her if she was on fire, which is a bit tough for her, as we live in the middle of nowhere and I used to help her plenty with odd jobs, mowing lawn cutting hedges etc. 

I do think that if you come across as 'nice' or helpful, then people do see it as a weakness and try to take advantage 'for fun'. Unfortunately my neighbour found that I am far from weak and also have a pretty ruthless side.
 

Mojisola

DanG1300 said:

I will place a 2m high fence inside of the boundary line.

Why?  Having two fences can result in arguments about where the boundary is.  Take out the current fence and put the new one up on the same line.

DanG1300

Mojisola said:

DanG1300 said:

I will place a 2m high fence inside of the boundary line.

Why?  Having two fences can result in arguments about where the boundary is.  Take out the current fence and put the new one up on the same line.

This is where it gets complicated, I offered to replace the existing fence as it is on the party line, but they don't want me too (because they don't want me to remove the hedge) so by refusing the come to an agreement on the party line fence they stymie my attempt to remove the hedge 

GDB2222

DanG1300 said:

Mojisola said:

DanG1300 said:

I will place a 2m high fence inside of the boundary line.

Why?  Having two fences can result in arguments about where the boundary is.  Take out the current fence and put the new one up on the same line.

This is where it gets complicated, I offered to replace the existing fence as it is on the party line, but they don't want me too (because they don't want me to remove the hedge) so by refusing the come to an agreement on the party line fence they stymie my attempt to remove the hedge 

They obviously feel they benefit from the current hedge, but at your expense as it takes up space in your garden. I would take it down, and give them a few days to cool off, then see what they want done about the fence. Maybe a trellis you can grow beautiful climbing plants on? 

In other words, I would continue to engage with them about this, as best you can in the circumstances. As you say it’s a small village.

Grenage

They can plant their own hedge.  If the fence is yours then you can just replace that on the boundary as well.

I also wouldn't move the fence inside your boundary.

DanG1300

Grenage said:

They can plant their own hedge.  If the fence is yours then you can just replace that on the boundary as well.

I also wouldn't move the fence inside your boundary.

The fence is a party line fence I believe although I do have to double check the deeds. So it's not just a case of replacing it, I also need the fence to be replaced with something taller as I have a dog who could climb the short fence that is there currently. So this is why I offered to replace the fence in the first place as I need the job or removing the hedge and putting the fence up done in very quick succession

DanG1300

GDB2222 said:

DanG1300 said:

Mojisola said:

DanG1300 said:

I will place a 2m high fence inside of the boundary line.

Why?  Having two fences can result in arguments about where the boundary is.  Take out the current fence and put the new one up on the same line.

This is where it gets complicated, I offered to replace the existing fence as it is on the party line, but they don't want me too (because they don't want me to remove the hedge) so by refusing the come to an agreement on the party line fence they stymie my attempt to remove the hedge 

They obviously feel they benefit from the current hedge, but at your expense as it takes up space in your garden. I would take it down, and give them a few days to cool off, then see what they want done about the fence. Maybe a trellis you can grow beautiful climbing plants on? 

In other words, I would continue to engage with them about this, as best you can in the circumstances. As you say it’s a small village.

I mentioned wanting to put up trellis and some trees to replace the hedge and got told "that would take too long as trees take time to grow". This is the sort of comment I had to deal with and restrain myself from snapping for being blamed for trees taking time to grow.... 

Davesnave

As  others have said, you've been too kind. Once you consult with some neighbours over matters which aren't strictly their concern, it may lead to them believing they have rights, or that their wishes morally trump yours.

I had this with a neighbour who wanted a field hedge left unmaintained, though it didn't even border his property. When I explained that it was encroaching into another farmer's field and causing him problems, that just meant in the complainant's eyes that I was favouring the farmer!

You can't win them all. Eleven years later, that person still shouts obscenities at me. I have "ruined his view," so I'm a "selfish b'stard."

So be it. In a village, people know who the awkward folk are and who's most likely to be considerate and reasonable. Do what you intend and don't engage further IMO. You've offered to compromise and had that thrown back at you. If you lose a few inches of ground to a new fence it will maybe not make any significant difference, especially in consideration of the ground you gain by removing the evergreen land-leeches!

Grenage

DanG1300 said:

Grenage said:

They can plant their own hedge.  If the fence is yours then you can just replace that on the boundary as well.

I also wouldn't move the fence inside your boundary.

The fence is a party line fence I believe although I do have to double check the deeds. So it's not just a case of replacing it, I also need the fence to be replaced with something taller as I have a dog who could climb the short fence that is there currently. So this is why I offered to replace the fence in the first place as I need the job or removing the hedge and putting the fence up done in very quick succession

Put some stakes up behind the fence and string plastic mesh between them.  The dog won't get out and they'll acquiesce to the fence once the hedge is down.

You've been more than considerate; they had their chance.