How can I control a neighbour’s hedge?

It won't stay dead, it will grow like the clappers, that's what laurel does I'm afraid.
Cut it a foot lower than the height you require, you can then clip the new shoots to the required height .
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Thanks. I was hoping to keep it at 7ft, hence the initial cut at 6ft!!

 

Is the neighbour actually saying they won't keep it cut back or have they simply not been doing so? There is a difference. Is it a case they don't have the tools to do it, and can't afford to pay anybody? Would they allow you to do it for them? My neighbour always used to keep the leylandii hedge between us under control but it had been allowed to get rather out of control. He's well over 80 but very independent. I saw him in the garden, reaching up as high as he could, and asked if he would like any help. He accepted immediately and explained he's not comfortable climbing up ladders any more. He would accept help but would impose on anybody by actually asking for it.

 

I would suggest going lower @RowlandsCastle maybe 5ft. They easily put on 2ft a year

 

I need 6ft to keep the south-westerly wind out. I can always trim it a couple of times a year. In fact, better that, than try to trim thicker stems. 7ft high is what seems reasonable to me - and possible to reach to trim, without using a ladder.
But I understand your reasoning. Thank you for the hint.

 

Unfortunately the hedge is right outside our kitchen and lounge windows, so it’s cutting out most of the light. The neighbour is being very unreasonable, but I don’t want to start a big argument as he’s the type who won’t back down, even when he’s in the wrong. I was hoping to find something that would inhibit the growth of the hedge as it’s over 30ft high further along the boundary!

 

Yes I think that it is a cherry laurel. Further along the boundary it has massive branches and is over 30ft high. We used to pay for the hedge to be maintained, but he has now told us not to touch his hedge, he wants it to grow uncontrollably!

 

Yes I’ve explained that it’s cutting out the light to our kitchen and lounge, but he doesn’t care. If we go down the high hedge law route, he will fight it as he would prefer to spend £1000s on legal fees than to be seen as backing down and letting us continue cutting the hedge. I’ll just keep cutting it back on our side and try and make it look as nice as possible.

 

Sadly he’s now refusing to allow us to keep it under control. He wants it to grow.

 

All sounds really awful, do hope you get something sorted i.e. they move!

 

@RogPJ
I know that it can be difficult for those who have not experienced the utter meanness of a neighbour, to appreciate how consuming the worry and aloneness can be.
I cannot imagine how dark a 30ft high hedge must make your garden and house feel. I cannot offer any resolution to this problem, but I do understand how neighbour problems can blight your life, and take over every aspect.
I hope you find a solution. Ours was to move house - but a 30ft hedge is not something you can hide from a potential buyer.

 

It's really depressing for you @RogPJ . The only solutuon is to get the council in as he's clearly sticking two fingers up at the general rules and regs, as well as you. The problem with that is the possible, or more likely probable, repercussions for you.
I'll never understand the mentality of these people. You've been decent enough to pay for the maintenance too, so he's seriously taking the p*ss, unless he now has some 'issues' that are causing the problem, but there's not much you can do about that either, unless you can discuss it with his family members [ if he has any ] but I'd guess that's a highly unlikely scenario for you.
He also can't tell you to stop cutting it on your side, so as long as you don't go over to his side of the boundary, that's fine.
The 'right to light' thing is something that's often brought up, usually about hedges or extensions, but it's largely a myth. It certainly isn't a law up here, but it may be different where you are. Worth looking into though.

 

It would seem that the only option open to you are to speak to the council and find out (a) if the legislation applies to this hedge and (b) the potential costs. The relationship with the neighbour has already broken down anyway.

 

It may be his hedge, but you have the legal right to cut back anything on your side of the border. If your garden is big enough to justify it, I would plant something attractive and quite tall in front of the hedge, but leave a gap big enough that you will be able to get behind it and cut back the offending laurels as needed. You could even pave the gap to make it easy to maintain.

 

@fairygirl regarding the mentality of some people. I'm in my 70's and a couple opposite are in their late 70s or early 80s. They always do their best to keep their front garden looking decent. A new person moved in next to them and never even cut the front grass. The couple, assuming he had no mower asked if he would like to borrow theirs. His reply "I don't give a **** about the garden. If you want to cut it, cut it"