Hedge Cutting Dispute

[mamatwo]

We own a property which neighbours one owned by the council. The leylandi hedge separating them is huge since the new tenants stopped cutting it and it blocking all light to our garden and damaging the shed of another neigbour to the rear of us.
The council have been out and confirmed that the hedge is their responsibility (Jul 09) and said that they would arrange quotes to have it cut or removed. After much chasing in November 09 they confirmed that they had funding and the hedge would be removed - however it is still there! The bloke at the council is not returning my calls or those of the nieghbour behind us.
Has anyone got any ideas as to what I can do? We want to get a shed and have some work done on the garden so we can enjoy it during the summer but until the hedge it gone we cannot do anything - it's so frustrating,plus as it is really close to the house I am concerned about the roots damaging the foundations.
Any help would be much apreciated!

[welshlibranr]

I'm afraid that you need to keep chasing the council about this issue! if they don't return your calls why not make an appointment to see the person responsible for making the decision to sort it! Maybe then they'll feel the need to act!.......................

[Androcles]

If you are dealing with a council you have to communicate in a way they understand. So contact your local elected representatives, the council can supply you with a list and place your case before them. Write also to the councils chief executive and ask why you are being blocked by one of his officials and then contact your local paper and ask the same questions. Councillors and councils do not like bad publicity.....

[mamatwo]

Thanks for answers, was a little wary of making too much of a fuss as the council chap said initially that they do not get involved with this type of thing normally as it is the tennants responsibility not theirs. I didn't want them to turn round and say they wouldn't get it sorted that they'd leave it up to the tennants and then it would never get done - but I guess the way it is now it's not getting done so it's worth a shot!

[welshlibranr]

Oh yes, they are block your calls in the hope that you'll just get tired of ringing them! Ask for an appointment to see the person! and if you get nowhere with that, then go to the press, as Androcles said, they hate bad publicilty! You need to face up to them, otherwise you'll get nowhere!!! Good Luck with it!...................

[fbg40]

Have a look at this website : Fixmystreet.com - enter your problem and then wait. I have used this twice and got a result within days.
Good luck
FBG40

[landscaper2]

This may be useful.http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html

[ccfluff]

I had the same problem two years ago, I threatened the council that they had 14 days to resolve the matter, or I would resort to taking away all the tree that fell on my land, including the roots. I had legal advice saying I could do this and if the tree fell, it would not have been my responsibility as it had been left in an unkept state. Needless to say a day after receiving the letter, the tree had been removed.

[Whoever]

The other people you can contact are your local councillors. If you don't know who they are, try the website Writetothem.com. If you will in your post code, the information for your area should come up automatically.