A row between neighbours about a high hedge will become the first in the district to be ruled on by a Government inspector.

Bradford Council tree experts were called to intervene in the row to decide whether a row of Leyland Cypress trees as high as a neighbour's roof were blocking light.

After four complaints about the home in Burley Road, Menston, officers inspected the 11-metre high hedge and ordered the owner to chop it down by a half. But now the notice has been appealed and a planning inspector must decided the hedge's fate.

Simon Keenan, an arboricultural officer at the Council, upheld three out of the four complaints. A notice was issued ordering the hedge be cut down to 6.5 metres and maintained at that level in the future.

The four neighbours who live in Ellar Gardens complained that the overgrown bushes were higher than the pitch of their roofs, that the light was blocked from their homes in the winter months and that the ground in their gardens was boggy.

The owner of the hedge had previously offered to cut the trees down with the cost shared among the complaining neighbours at a cost of £350. They refused, saying it was not their responsibility.

Andrew Wilson, one of the people affected, said: "The hedge has a direct affect on our quality of life. It blocks a lot of light. We have to have the lights on in the house during the day to compensate for the natural light that's blocked out.

The problem is especially bad in winter when the lawn never gets dry. It's like a bog much of the time.

"We've been approaching him for years but it hasn't got anywhere."

Another neighbour, Julian Fielden, said the hedge reached past the roof of his house.

"There is no justification for having trees that high. We wanted to get the house valued and when the estate agent came round they advised us not to even try selling it while until the hedge was cut down."

Mr Keenan said although this was the first time the Council had ordered a hedge to be chopped back he believed appeals would be common.

"The information pack that we send out to people is quite detailed but we are finding that there is some confusion over the complex legislation.

"Many people believe that we will make the owner cut their hedge down to two metres in height and that is obviously not the case. The calculation is based on garden size, size of the windows looking on to the hedge and the orientation of the hedge."

New laws gave councils powers to force nuisance hedges to be cut back in June last year. The Council has received about 80 inquiries since the legislation was brought in and there have been 21 complaints. Only three have been dealt with - this is the only one where the Council has ordered the hedge be reduced.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT YOU CAN DO
  • The Council can take action as a last resort against people who are the owners of high hedges, but there must be evidence that attempts have been made to deal with the problem by negotiation first.
  • The hedge must be a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs rising to a height of more than two metres. It has to be a barrier to light or access.
  • A successful complaint does not mean the hedge owner must cut the hedge down to a height of two metres.
  • Once a valid complaint has been made a formal assessment of the situation will be made. Both parties then have the right of appeal.
  • For more guidance log on to www.communities.gov.uk/treesandhedges.
  • If you decide to make a formal complaint call (01274) 434297.