We’re lef t in the dark say residents as 85ft ‘hedge’ spared axe
THEY were set to be cut down after residents complained they blocked out light to their homes.
But six beech trees were saved from the axe when an environmentalist stepped in and had a council ruling overturned by the Scottish Government.
Howard Stark, 49, was the sole objector to the trees being felled after his neighbours complained they left their homes in darkness.
Angus and June Clark said the 85ft trees left their ground-floor property in Paisley, Renfrewshire, with no natural light and took their fight to council bosses.
The couple were delighted when a high hedge notice was issued by Renfrewshire Council ordering the trees to be cut to ground level.
However, Mr Stark, whose flat overlooks the communal garden where the trees are, appealed to the Scottish Government. It has now quashed the ruling and said the trees are not a hedge.
Mr Stark told Government officials: ‘These beech trees are an established feature and part of a conservation area.
‘They have little impact on the sunlight to a converted church, marginally blocking the light to one Velux window that is part of a recent conversion.
‘These trees have environmental and aesthetic value and have only become an issue since the change of function from a church to luxury flats. Should an investor not have capitalised and the church building remained as a church, these trees would be left to thrive.
‘I think it is unfair to believe that you can build a window and then complain about your view.’
The Clarks had welcomed Mr Stark’s ‘commendable’ view on saving the environment but insisted the trees should go.
An appeal letter to the Government read: ‘It is with regret that we have had to take this action due to the 11 trees that are 9ft from our bedroom windows and continue to seriously impact on the quality of our emotional and mental wellbeing due to the severe lack of light in our home.
‘Unfortunately we can’t agree with Mr Stark where he says that there is a “marginal” impact on us and only one Velux window is affected by the trees blocking out our light.’
George Bryson, 66, who is also affected by the trees, said: ‘It’s out of order, it’s ridiculously high. Trim it down – it’s getting higher than our building.’
Scottish Government reporter Lorna McCallum wrote: ‘I conclude that this is a row of trees of mixed ages rather than a hedge.
‘It is my view that calling them a hedge would be straining the ordinary and natural meaning of the word. I acknowledge the concerns of the neighbours regarding the lack of light within their property, however, as I have found that the trees do not constitute a hedge, I must quash the notice.’