article: An Oxford college and a retired architect are embroiled in an absurd row over a stretch of scrubby bushes which are quickly becoming 'the most expensive hedge in Warwickshire'. In a court case likely to cost £150,000, St John's College and a 74-year-old businessman have been locked in a battle over an unkempt hedgerow between their properties in Warwickshire. The bizarre dispute began when Anthony Bethell decided he would pay for work to restore the ancient 180-yard hedge, which marks the boundary between his home and the college's land. Hedge row: Anthony Bethell and St John's College, Oxford are embroiled in a row over a stretch of scrubby bushes, with a court case likely to cost £150,000 . The bizarre dispute began when Anthony Bethell decided he would pay for work to restore the ancient 180-yard hedge, which marks the boundary between his home and the college's land . Before starting the work, Mr Bethell thought it best to consult with the college - which is one of the largest landowners in the country - on where exactly he should replant the hedge, so to avoid any costly complications further down the line. But he claims St John's has refused to agree with him on the matter and says he has been forced to take the college to court, the Sunday Telegraph reported. The hedge, which dates back to 1686, divides Mr Bethell's one-acre plot from 1,200 acres of farmland owned by the college. Mr Bethell said: 'As it stands this ancient hedge is in a poor state of repair and is an eyesore. I'm more than happy to pay for the work to restore the hedge and improve and safeguard the rural environment around me, but I need St John's to agree the boundary line – and they just won't sit down and discuss the issue face to face. They've ignored all my approaches and left me with no choice but to go to court. 'I want to do this properly. If I went ahead and did the work without establishing where precisely the boundary lies I could end up creating all sort of problems which would see the college coming after me in future.' A crown court judge said the bushes were quickly becoming 'the most expensive hedge in Warwickshire' Mr Bethell claims St John's College (pictured) has refused to agree with him on the matter and says he has been forced to take the college to court . The retired businessman, who lives with his wife Eileen, 75, commissioned a report on the scrubby bushes, with experts recommending repairing the 'neglected, sparse' hedge. The report stated that fixing the hedgerow would encourage birds to nest, as well as providing habitats for other wildlife. Both Mr Bethell and St John's College have spent £80,000 in legal fees in total, with the cost of a full trial likely to set the parties back £150,000. The huge sum led the judge overseeing the pre-trial hearing at Coventry Crown Court to suggest the bushes are quickly becoming 'the most expensive hedge in Warwickshire'. He reportedly said that both sides may as well 'pile up £30,000 each in a field and light a huge bonfire'. Expensive: Both Mr Bethell and St John's College have spent £80,000 in legal fees in total so far . Mr Bethell, who runs a charitable foundation for deprived children, is wary of the spiralling cost of the case, adding that the college could use the money to fund places for students. 'We could all save ourselves a lot of time if they would just sit down and talk about this simple matter of the boundary,' he said. The hedge is believed to have been planted in 1686 to divide two estates, which merged almost a century later when St John's bought the land. The college now owns more than 9,000 acres of land in England. Professor Andrew Parker, the bursar of St John's College, Oxford, said: 'The legal action and court proceedings have been initiated by Mr Bethell. 'Despite attempts to settle the matter by meetings between professional advisers and by mediation, the College regrets that it is necessary to have the matter resolved by the courts.'
highlights: Anthony Bethell has taken St John's College, Oxford to court over a hedge .
  Bushes divide his home in Warwickshire from college's 1,200-acre plot .
  He claims college refused to meet to discuss replanting ancient hedgerow .
  Dispute over 'most expensive hedge' could cost £150,000 in legal fees .
prediction: Oxford 
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