Breakdown of Мы начали межевание вопреки решению собственника.
мы
we
решение
decision
начать
to begin (perfective)
вопреки
contrary to
Questions & Answers about Мы начали межевание вопреки решению собственника.
Why is решению in the dative case here?
The preposition вопреки (contrary to, in defiance of) strictly requires the dative case. Since решение (decision) is a neuter noun, its dative form ends in -ю, becoming решению.
Why doesn't the ending of межевание change since it is the direct object?
Межевание (land surveying) is a neuter, inanimate noun. Even though it is the direct object of начали and therefore takes the accusative case, the accusative form of a neuter inanimate noun is identical to its nominative form.
What is the difference between собственник and владелец?
While both translate to owner, собственник is a precise legal term referring to the person who holds the legal title of ownership. Владелец is a broader term for someone who possesses or uses something, but might not hold the official deed. Since land surveying is a legal procedure, собственник is the exact right word to use here.
Could we move вопреки решению собственника to the beginning of the sentence?
Yes, saying Вопреки решению собственника, мы начали межевание is completely natural. Moving that phrase to the front shifts the emphasis onto the defiance, highlighting the fact that the action went against the owner's wishes rather than focusing primarily on the surveying itself.