Can I stop my neighbour growing his hedge taller?

Question

A hedge separating my garden from my neighbour’s has been kept at about 1.2m (4ft 6in) for years. My neighbour now wants it to grow to 1.8m (6ft 6in), but I object as it will shade my border. My neighbour says his deeds have a ‘T’ indicating that the hedge is his, giving him the right to do what he likes with it. Is he right?

Answer

In any potential disagreement it is important to assess relative strengths. In this case your neighbour could, without the need for planning permission, put up a 1.8m fence or wall along his side of the boundary, which might be visually worse than a hedge. The ‘T’ marks are merely an indication of which ownership is responsible for maintaining that particular boundary barrier.

Is your neighbour correct in claiming ownership of the entire hedge? Go to Land Registry. For £3 you can download a copy of your neighbour’s title plan and see, by reference to physical features, which side of the boundary the hedge is on.

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