Neighbours locked in four-way battle over 12ft hedge they claim is 'dangerous'
A group of disgruntled neighbours are appealing to their national government to take action over a hedge they claim is blocking light from entering their homes.
David Linkie and Jeremy Jones have been locked in a bitter dispute with Barry Rice over 12ft leylandii trees in his garden, which say they say are dangerous and are making their lives a misery.
They told the local council that they have to carry out 'dangerous' and 'high risk' maintenance of the hedge twice a year in a bid to stop loss of light at their £500,000 homes on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
In addition to the costs of hedge-trimming equipment, the men have also argued that finally lowering the trees could help slash their energy bills and increase 'brightness and warmth' in their back gardens.
They eventually applied to the City of Edinburgh Council together under high hedge laws in a bid to have them lopped, after previous attempts at resolving the issue failed.
But the men were left devastated when the council refused their application, as they concluded it was "not so high that it prevents the enjoyment" of their properties
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Determined to press on, the three men have now lodged a joint appeal over the ruling to the Scottish Government.
City of Edinburgh Council had informed them that issues relating to safety and overhanging foliage were 'out with the scope' of high hedge laws.
Hedge-owning Rice had rejected his neighbour's complaints, and told the council that it had been maintained at its current height for 20 years.
He also said any 'shading and dampness' was common in the location because of woodland around the estate, alongside modifications made to the gardens belonging to his neighbours.
But in an appeal lodged on their behalf to the Scottish Government, the men insisted that official guidance on such issues has "not been applied correctly" by the council and stressed the amount of work it will take to manage the hedge as they all grow older.
They said: "The maintenance involves trimming at unsafe heights in the range of 13-18ft for a total border length of over 74ft.
"This requires a minimum of two fit and able people.
"There is clearly high risk involved due to the height, volume of work involved and using dangerous and sharp hedge trimming tools required to undertake the job two times a year.
"The hedge trimming requires you to scale 8-12 ft up fully extended long ladders which is high risk and dangerous work to undertake and this will be an even higher risk as we each get older."
A government reporter will issue a decision in due course.
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