My hedge is destroyed

craftyone

why did you think it was ok to have a hedge overhanging a public pavement? He was well within his rights to tell the police, you would have had a visit and been instructed to cut your own hedge back. Mobility scooters, pedesrians, all blocked by your thoughtlessness. You should feel thoroughly ashamed cava

That a bit judgemental!

Mobility scooters, pedestrians all blocked
Are you sure of these facts Craftyone ?

Many types of hedge (Beech for example which we have) should be pruned in August, partly to be sure all birds’ nests are empty but also, if pruned too early, will just sprout again.
Nobody has the right to touch your hedge so he is entirely in the wrong.
Last year I turned a blind eye to my neighbour trimming back their side of my hedge a bit as their drive is quite narrow - and guess what, their side is sprouting unevenly! I have reassured them that pruning is in hand for this year now and booked within the next fortnight. .

His house is a townhouse and only a drive out front. He rents and has only been there three weeks

Actually it is a quiet cul de sac and not many foot passage and it was not overhanging as much as you have described. We usually ‘get them done’ at this time of year but it was delayed a couple of weeks because of a family illness which had taken a lot of time and energy lately. I am not ashamed at all... I look after my property very well and if this man had come and spoke to us right away we would have done as he wanted without question.

How far was the hedge over the pavement? This man went about it the wrong way and he should have spoken too you, but is it worth arguing about and getting into a dispute with him.

It has left me a bit spooked to be honest ... who would do that? I have never even seen him before .. apparently he rents house up the road. I always think it’s wise to get along with neighbours and I think we need to tread carefully but at the same time dint let him push us around. Hubby is furious too... a bit of colourful language in our house last night.
Thanks all

why did you think it was ok to have a hedge overhanging a public pavement? He was well within his rights to tell the police, you would have had a visit and been instructed to cut your own hedge back. Mobility scooters, pedesrians, all blocked by your thoughtlessness. You should feel thoroughly ashamed cava

What's the front or appearance of his own house like ?

Really really cheeky I d never have the guts to do that and I ve walked past some that you practically have to go on the road for, but I don’t think legally he can just cut someone else’s hedge I d be very very annoyed too cheeky bugger
Much better to have knocked on your door and ask if you d like him to give it a trim as it was causing problems If he felt that strongly I do think the legal rules are that you can cut anything over hanging your garden and you have to give the clippings back so that’s probably why he put them in your path however I m not so sure about a public path I doubt that’s the same rules but down to the council itself

Good advice merlot

I thought the form was to inform the council who would inform the hedge owner that it needed cutting back.

Did the man just cut back the front of the hedge that was overgrowing the pavement or parts of it that would not affect his children's walk to school?

It's your responsibility to ensure the hedge does not impede the passage of people walking down the road but he had no right to cut it back unless you gave him permission - which you clearly did not.

There are so many disputes over hedges that the police will be reluctant to intervene unless his behaviour was threatening, in which case he'll probably deny it.

You would have to prove that he entered your property while you were out which could be difficult unless he has obviously cut back the hedge by accessing your garden.

He might genuinely think he has done you a favour but went about it the wrong way. You had every right to be angry.

The hedge will recover. Try not to get into an ongoing dispute which will cause you more grief.

I would be inclined to take him to the small claims court to recoup the amount of money it would cost to replace the damaged hedge.
Have it costed (including removal of the stuff he cut off) and present him with the bill. If he refuses to pay take him to court.

I’d report it online - not many police stations around and I don’t think it’s really fair to take up face to face time. Give them as much info as possible and say you are really shaken up - as others have said, it’s important to log it in case it’s the start of a pattern of behaviour. I think strictly speaking it counts as criminal damage but actually what concerns me is that he sound unbalanced. Good luck, hope the police listen

Thank you for your supportive responses ... I still feel incredulous at what has happened and I will put it on record by informing the police ...

Maybe drop into your local Police Station when you have time - with photographs and of the rubbish before you think about moving it. Just tell them what happened, tell them how shocked you are, the poor state of your hedge and his aggression - maybe they will be minded to go and have a word with him. It is certainly extraordinary behaviour and, of course, he has taken it upon himself to interfere with your property without consulting you or seeking your permission.

The hedging was probably overhanging the pavement? The pavement would be Council property; so they could be asked by anyone in your cul de sac to insist that you cut back your hedge if it constituted a nuisance. Or someone could call on you, in a normal way, and ask whether you could cut the hedge back a bit. No one has the right to cut it themselves or damage or change your hedge boundaries or any of your property without your knowledge or permission. That's ridiculous. That would still be a bad idea even if the hedge was between your own and a neighbour's garden. Not sure whether he is renting or has bought his home but he needs to have someone in authority (especially if he is aggressive and in the wrong) enlighten him about the law and remind him that if he does something like that again, action will be taken against him. If you speak to the Police,they will at least have a record of your complaint just in case he should take it upon himself to do something else in your locale. I wouldn't just let it go - it will encourage him into thinking that his behaviour was o.k. ( I wonder if does need to do something about his extra wide children. )

I’d also be mad unless your hedge was overhanging the path/pavement seriously. I’m not sure there is anything you can do unless you’re prepared to start a neighbour dispute with the man who sounds thoroughly horrible.

That is very odd and very rude behaviour. Sounds like he has a personality disorder. I would be mad too never the less.