Hedges and Boundries

[brian_H]

Morning everyone.

I am after a bit of guidance. I have lived in an apartment for the last 20 years and in fact I have never had my own garden, until now. We have just bought a house with a small garden that needs some tidying up.

On looking at it properly last weekend, we noticed the hedges that border the garden are around 5 foot from the boundary fence all round two sides of the garden. The fence position looks correct according to the land registry info. Can I move the hedges back so they are adjacent to the fence and free up more garden. They are only around 5 foot high so no issues with light etc.

I also have a 10 foot tall conifer hedge down the side of my driveway. This is on the border between our house and what looks like a electric Sub-Station. There is no fence here just the hedge. Am I responsible for the upkeep on both sides or can I let the other side "do it's own thing".

Thanks

Brian

[mikeiow]

Your garden: do what you like (within reason, & the height you mention is fine).

Moving a 5’ hedge might be something of a challenge (risk you manage to kill it!), but sounds odd to be so far from the fence. Maybe just planted in the wrong place, expecting it to bush out more.

On the other, I would be pretty sure you would not be responsible for the substation side…but if you can keep it tidy, I would: a scrubby mess sprawling over it wouldn’t look good.
Or you could test the energy company by asking them to prune it?

[brian_H]

Thanks for the quick response. That sort of echo's my thoughts. My wife likes this hedge, I don't....so if I accidentally kill it while moving it it wouldn't be the end of the world. The garden slopes down quite steeply as it nears the fence so I am wondering if it was for that reason they moved it inboard.

Cheers

Brian