A homeowner has been told to cut back her ‘eyesore’ 40ft tall conifer hedge after her neighbours complained to the council that it is leaving their houses in darkness.
The hedge, in the Swansea suburb of Dunvant, consists of conifers 40ft high and almost 100ft long. People living nearby claim they have been forced to abandon the use of their front rooms because of the darkness it casts along the street.
Last March, with the support of local councillor Jennifer Raynor, the affected residents clubbed together to raise funds to lodge a ‘High Hedge complaint’ to Swansea Council.
The hedge in the Swansea suburb of Dunvant, consists of conifers 40ft high and almost 100ft long. People living nearby have been forced to abandon the use of their front rooms because of the darkness it casts along the street
The council visited and measured the hedge before serving an order to owner Susan Rogers, 61, to reduce the height of the out of control conifers.
She appealed the decision to the planning inspectorate but lost and has now been told she must cut it back to 22ft by February 17.
Beryl Robbins, the area co-ordinator for the local Neighbourhood Watch, said: ‘At a meeting of the local group of Neighbourhood Watch held in late September 2016 it was apparent all present were concerned about the very high hedge on the outside border of Yr Aran.
‘Attempts to discuss the problem with Mrs Rogers failed. On the advice of the Swansea Neighbourhood Watch Association we then contacted our councillor Jennifer Raynor, who has since guided and worked for us to try to get the height reduced.
Cllr Jen Raynor and Louise Gibbard (right) with residents of who complained about the overgrown ‘monster’ hedge in Dunvant which is affecting their light in their front rooms
‘This hedge greatly effects the living conditions of some houses on the opposite side of the road whose residents cannot see the sky from their living room windows and who lose a considerable amount of light and sunlight.
‘To a lesser extent all surrounding houses and bungalows are affected. The hedge is an eyesore and it now overhangs the road.’
No work has yet started on reducing the hedge and neighbours are worried about the lack of action as birds nesting season is due to begin.
Mrs Raynor said: ‘Mrs Rogers needs to get a move on. The Inspector gave her three months to cut the hedge.
Last March the affected residents clubbed together to raise funds to lodge a ‘High Hedge complaint’ to Swansea Council and the owner was ordered to cut the hedge back
‘Mrs Rogers still has time to cut the hedge before the official start of the birds’ nesting season.’
Fellow ward councillor Louise Gibbard said: ‘Neighbourhood Watch groups from across Swansea attended the hearing last October.
‘High hedges are antisocial. The inspector visited the homes of the people and saw the hedge herself. We all want to see work started as soon as possible.’
Mrs Rogers has been contacted for comment.
A homeowner has been told to cut back her ‘eyesore’ 40-ft tall conifer hedge after residents living nearby complained it was leaving their houses in darkness