A WOMAN who claims the size of her neighbour’s hedge has reduced her to tears has now appealed to the government in a bid to have them axed.
Ali Buchan insists her neighbour’s 12ft leylandii along the border of their £300,000 properties in Crieff, Perthshire has made her life a misery.
She claims the trees block light to her garden and keeps it shrouded in shade.
Frustrated Buchan turned to Perth and Kinross Council under high hedge laws in a bid to have the trees lopped but was left dismayed when the council said the trees could stay.
Ms Bucahan has now appealed the ruling to the Scottish Government.
In her appeal letter, Buchan, who moved into her house in 2016, highlighted issues with the height of the hedge.
She said: “The only plants which have survived in this bed over the years have been a few hardy shrubs and a small fir tree.
“Over the years, I have attempted to plant various flowers but due to shade and poor soil quality, caused by the hedge, they have never survived despite my best efforts.
“Does the ambience and our ability to enjoy our garden have no relevance to the local authority’s decision?
“Our submission is that the impact on light, on our reasonable enjoyment of our garden and the health and safety issues in maintaining our side of the hedge, which were not present when we first moved in, should override the slight impact on the ambience and privacy for the owner if the hedge was to be reduced by 2ft.
“I am also concerned about our ability to sell our house in the future with the hedge being so unsightly.”
Ms Buchan added: “It is ugly and I just cannot bring myself to spend time in the garden or use it with my friends and family as we had when we first moved in.
“How the garden looks and the injustice of what has happened makes me sad and tearful every time I look at it.”
A council report said Dunn’s children had offered a ‘willingness’ to cooperate with the care of the hedge but had to also respect their mother’s wishes.
They said it had been maintained at the current height for over 10 years.
Refusing her application, Perth and Kinross Council said: “The barrier to light arising from the boundary hedge does not adversely affect the reasonable enjoyment of your property.”
A government decision is expected in due course.
