Appeal lodged over hedge ruling

A MAN has lodged an appeal over the height of his tall hedge at his property in Dundee.

Manhall Nasiff, of Blackness Road, had been instructed to reduce the 9.8-metre hedge of cypress trees down to a maximum of 3.9m, following complaints from neighbours in the adjacent Oxford Street.

However, Mr Nasiff is appealing the decision, which was issued last month, and has referred the matter to the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division (DPEA).

Documentation has been submitted to the DPEA by architects James Paul Associates, who wrote that the suggestion that the 10 cypress trees should be downsized was “extreme”.

The submission read: “These trees are long-established and have never previously caused concern to any neighbour.

“There is a real concern that our client’s residential amenity and the use of his garden will be affected by the loss of privacy should these trees be cut back.”

James Paul also noted that the hedge has been in place for 30 years — prior to the neighbours who submitted the complaints moving to the area.

However, neighbours say that the tall trees block their sunlight, and that large branches have fallen from the trees into their gardens.

They have also called for the hedge to be reduced even further, to 2m at its highest point.

The DPEA will carry out an inspection of the site on May 10, with the aim of issuing a decision no later than June 15.