Lakeside residents upset by town council’s refusal to cut a hedge

THE HEIGHT of a hedge in Earley is causing upset among neighbours.

Residents of Lakeside said they are “surprised and upset” an agreement to keep a hedge below waist-height has been broken.

A spokesperson for the Maiden Erlegh Residents’ Association (MERA) said Earley Town Council has taken a different approach to the land management since the Liberal Democrat Party took control from the Conservatives.

They said nine years ago, an agreement was made to preserve the views of the lake.

Although the “formal” hedge has cut back, the growing vegetation behind it has not, leaving residents feeling ignored, the spokesperson said.

At an Amenities and Leisure Committee on Wednesday, September 8, councillors agreed to neaten and thin the offending greenery, but not cut it down to two feet and six inches, to match the “formal” hedge.

“The requirements of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and its emphasis on conserving biodiversity appears to be the overarching reason for the decision,” said a MERA spokesperson.

“Although of course this legislation was in place when the agreement with residents was reached in 2012.”

Jo Friend, town clerk at Earley Town Council committee members felt that cutting the hedge may only benefit an extremely small number of residents, and did not outweigh the town council’s environmental responsibilities.

“I can assure you that Earley Town Council has not ignored any MERA members who have asked for the shrubbery to be cut down. Their request has been fully considered, town councillors visited the site in question and thorough discussions were had.”

Ms Friend said council members felt strongly that, since the 2006 decision, awareness and knowledge of the importance of habitats and biodiversity has greatly increased, with environmental issues gaining more significance.

She said the committee felt it was reasonable to review a stance made over a decade ago, as situations alter and priorities change.

And users of the nature reserve appreciate the screening the hedging provides from the built environment of Lakeside, she explained.

Councillors felt maintaining the second hedge as requested would require a substantial amount of town council resources, Ms Friend added.

They said hand tools would have to be used because of nesting birds, which was not considered to be best use of town council resources.

However, one Lakeside resident said the second hedge is “very dangerous”.

They said there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area, as people are more hidden.

Another said children and dogs can no longer get out of cars parked on the south side of the road.

“Much of the year it is a safety hazard as you can’t see what’s on the road ahead,” they said.

“Motorists wouldn’t see if a child, dog, fox or deer emerges from one of the designated exit points.

“Are we actually waiting for an accident to happen?”

The MERA spokesperson added: “We understand that the new administration would not feel bound to pursue the policies of previous administrations, but we are disappointed that they are unwilling to take on board the discontent of Lakeside residents.

“Given the decision that has been made on this matter, there appears to be little more that we can do for the time being, but residents might want to raise this as a continuing issue with prospective candidates for the next Town Council election.”