Neighbour destroyed my hedge without my permission or knowledge
England
Contractor chopped down my hedge, claiming he was instructed by the owner to clear the garden. Their garden was a dry overgrown mess abandoned for 3 years. My hedge was green healthy and maintained though it had some mega growth these past weeks. Never seen the owner until now.
The hedge was planted my side of the property boundary line and grew to form the shared boundary/fence.
My fence-> hedge-> | boundary line | neighbour
Owner knows the property boundary line though was arguing it was their hedge.They were swiftly disabused of this notion.They scarpered quickly after that.They don’t live there though I have a contact phone number.
I just want my hedge back, what’s the best way of achieving this? Owner does not present as a reasonable person and while I could send a letter, I think they’d ignore it.
Thanks for reading and appreciate advice
ETA1: owner is a developer, hasn’t got PP for what they want to do has been rejected twice and says wants to go third time, no interaction with them before. Contractor currently on site.
ETA2: neighbour on other side said criminal charge should be made?