Civil

Height of trees

Our neighbours evergreen shrubs are hiding the light from out kitchen, bedroom and garden. The are as high as our roof. I've asked them nicely, this year AND last year to cut them. Before Easter the husband came round and said that the hedge cutting guy. Now the wife has told us that they haven't any money to do the work. We asked if it would be OK if we did it (as best we can) she said "do what you want". She didn't say this in a nasty way. We had another look and they really are big thick trunks and we are not experts. I am worried that we'll do the work then the husband will then complain. It rankles a lot that he has been working from home all this week and has made no effort to see to the problem yet we have been struggling to lop HIS hedges. (We've so far only done the overhanging bit and that took more than 2 days). What do you think? By the way he is a barrister! Thank you.

malpals Thurs 15/05/08 10:53

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DrFilth
Thurs 15/05/08
10:56

this is a problem with big trees they are big

malpals
Thurs 15/05/08
16:24

Question Author

Sorry - I missed the end of my sentence.... he said that the hedge-cutting guy was coming on the Thursday (before good Friday) but he didn't come.

themas
Thurs 15/05/08
17:39

There is legislation about high hedges. It includes a definition of what constitutes a hedge. If the trees do constitute one you may be able to use the legislation to get your neighbour to deal with them at his cost.

The Local Authority deals with this, so contact them & arrange for them to visit.

malpals
Thurs 15/05/08
17:51

Question Author

Thank you for that.

buildersmate
Fri 16/05/08
07:18

Agree with what Themas says. Councils may be willing to use the Statutory Nuisance legislation to help you. But be aware that different councils deal with it in different ways and it is unlikely to be free to you. This is one such councils approach - others may be different.
http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/environment /env-environmental-health/env-environmental-pr otection/env-high-hedges/env-how-the-council-w ill-deal-with-your-complaint.htm

You can download the document called High Hedges Complants: Prevention and Cure from this Government site.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/pla nningandbuilding/highhedgescomplaints
It includes a methodology for assessing the scale of the problem (and hence whether the council may be able to do anything about it)

malpals
Fri 16/05/08
15:44

Question Author

Thank you for the information. I would rather not go down the offical and officious route. I was more concerned about the lady of the house saying we can go ahead ourselves, but the man of the house perhaps not knowing that she said that and then perhaps suing us or whatever he could do.

buildersmate
Fri 16/05/08
18:08

Unlikely to happen (IMHO) but it's your call.

malpals
Fri 16/05/08
19:05

Question Author

Thank you one and all.

keithlbw
Wed 21/05/08
11:48

A Barrister without any money ???? This guys having a laugh . First stop is the council then a solicitor ...go get him.

keithlbw
Wed 21/05/08
11:50

ps.
Don't do the work yourself without something in writing , this guy will sue you at the drop of a hat.

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