DRD..Hedges and trees ruining our lifestyle

mamabuddah

AFAIK the Dept of Regional Development (DRD I think for short) own the fields at the rear of our house. I think they may lease one to a local farmer as Ive seen cows grazing in the past.

Anyway, the hedgerows are now showing 3 or 4 feet at least over our 6 foot fence and extend in a solid dense mass at least 10 or 12 feet, To make matters worse (the rear of our house is south facing) there are a number of very tall trees blocking out what little sunlight we have these days, plus I'm getting quite concerned about the roots and the damage they may be causing as they are less than 20feet from my house.

I've got some photos here to give an idea.

Does anyone have any experience of problems like these, or better still does anyone know what course of action is available to me or what sort of recourse I may have, finally I should add that I can't afford to have any work carried out at my expense and when we moved in 30 years ago this problem didn't exist, it's the owners of the land that have allowed this to happen.

warmhands.coldheart

Get a Chainsaw.

One evening cut it down and throw the trimmings into the field.

Job Done..

If anyone queries it, deny all knowledge !!

mamabuddah

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

Get a Chainsaw.

One evening cut it down and throw the trimmings into the field.

Job Done..

If anyone queries it, deny all knowledge !!

made me smile...but at 60ish...a bit risky....lol

Willyk

You could have a look here to see if it applies:

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/protect_the_environment/local_environmental_issues/high_hedges_2.htm

Have you asked the DRD to cut them down ?

warmhands.coldheart

mamabuddah wrote: »

made me smile...but at 60ish...a bit risky....lol

Any "younger" neighbours who may benefit from them being cut down too who may do it for you for a few Bevvies ??

Golden_Anemone

Write to the Minister for Regional Development at Clarence Court, Adelaide Street and ask him to arrange for the hedges and trees to be reduced in height to 2 metres. It may of course be that the Department doesn't own the land but if they do this is the best way of ensuring that it gets sorted. It's unlikely that the Minister himself will reply but he will ensure that one of his officials investigates and replies to you on his behalf.

NAR

I would get your MLA to take this up on your behalf.

warmhands.coldheart

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Write to the Minister for Regional Development at Clarence Court, Adelaide Street and ask him to arrange for the hedges and trees to be reduced in height to 2 metres. It may of course be that the Department doesn't own the land but if they do this is the best way of ensuring that it gets sorted. It's unlikely that the Minister himself will reply but he will ensure that one of his officials investigates and replies to you on his behalf.

They won't do it !!!.... Haven't you heard... they've had a budget cut!! They'll be saving the money they do have for next year's pay rises !!

Mistral001

This comes up quite often on MSE. As far as I know the law is that only the owners of the trees/bushes/hedge can cut the top of them. A neighbour can cut any over-hanging branches without asking permission from the owners*


*The branches cut off in law belong to the owner of the trees/bushes/hedge, so strictly speaking you should offer the branches to the owner and not keep them without their permission.

Mojisola

Willyk wrote: »

You could have a look here to see if it applies:

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/protect_the_environment/local_environmental_issues/high_hedges_2.htm

Have you asked the DRD to cut them down ?

This only applies to evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges.

warmhands.coldheart

Mojisola wrote: »

This only applies to evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges.

What the heck is a Semi-Evergreen hedge..... Surely it's either Evergreen or not??