fencing and damage

[likeitorlumpit]

we have replaced an old hedge = probably 50 years old with a new fence as one of the neighbours (who have moved subsequently) into a new (30 years old) development complained to the housing association that the hedge kept growing over their land. Long term should save money for the leaseholders. I resisted this as the hedge and trees were obviously a wildlife haven and it really seemed a shame. But I was over ruled and asked to rip out and fence.

We've done half the job and now the neighbours (a close)want a fence extension to go behind their garages which are 3feet (from deeds) from the old hedge boundary.

My thoughts are that the land behind the garages has built up soil / leaf litter over 30-40 years at least.

The garage owners are suggesting we will find damage to their property caused by the hedge.

I'm expecting trouble when we remove the old hedge/ hedge trees+soil/leaf litter. I think the garage owners will claim against the housing association for damage caused by the hedge.

My question is- Is the hedge owner liable? because it was their hedge that was growing over the neighbours land... or should the garage owners have kept their 3 ft 'maintenance ' strip clear.

Who's to blame- the hedge owner or the 'relatively new' neighbours.

It feels like neighbouring residents are 'bullying' the housing association who as usual don't want negative publicity (a policy doomed to failure in my opinion)

It feels complicated but surely their is a legal precedent. Does anyone know the legal side.

[likeitorlumpit]

we have replaced an old hedge = probably 50 years old with a new fence as one of the neighbours (who have moved subsequently) into a new (30 years old) development complained to the housing association that the hedge kept growing over their land. Long term should save money for the leaseholders. I resisted this as the hedge and trees were obviously a wildlife haven and it really seemed a shame. But I was over ruled and asked to rip out and fence.

We've done half the job and now the neighbours (a close)want a fence extension to go behind their garages which are 3feet (from deeds) from the old hedge boundary.

My thoughts are that the land behind the garages has built up soil / leaf litter over 30-40 years at least.

The garage owners are suggesting we will find damage to their property caused by the hedge.

I'm expecting trouble when we remove the old hedge/ hedge trees+soil/leaf litter. I think the garage owners will claim against the housing association for damage caused by the hedge.

My question is- Is the hedge owner liable? because it was their hedge that was growing over the neighbours land... or should the garage owners have kept their 3 ft 'maintenance ' strip clear.

Who's to blame- the hedge owner or the 'relatively new' neighbours.

It feels like neighbouring residents are 'bullying' the housing association who as usual don't want negative publicity (a policy doomed to failure in my opinion)

It feels complicated but surely their is a legal precedent. Does anyone know the legal side.

 

Sorry- just read this again and it's too complicated so please ignore this thread.

Thanks and sorry for wasting your time folks