Border Leylandii Trees Management Questions..

Doozergirl

sujsuj said:

I heard to the Council we need to show proof that we tried to negotiate with neighbour. Is it a good idea to get them to a video call to record it as a proof..? or  neighbour can decline video call and insist on emailing  it. If so I can't show any proof that I discussed this with them..?

Have you actually tried talking to them yet?  

The proof would be that your neighbours will say 'yes, we talked about it'.  

It sounds like you haven't spoken to them about it yet.  It's worth approaching it gently and not assuming that they already know you're angry.  They are quite possibly oblivious to it.  

Section62

sujsuj said:

It is taking half of my car parking already.

In your massive garden with extensive driveways and double garage?  Can you post a picture of the trees?

Living in a rural area it is a really good idea to try to get on well with your neighbours (both ways) and not a good idea to get the council involved in enforcement action unless there's a serious problem and the friendly approach hasn't worked.

One day you may need help from the neighbours (for example if you fall off the garage roof, roll your lawnmower over on top of you, fall off a ladder, cut your arm off with the chainsaw etc), so if you haven't already tried talking to them in a friendly way then for all our sakes please do as Doozergirl suggests.

You make the point yourself that this hedge gives you privacy - so unless there is a good reason why you need to park next to the trees, personally I'd opt for parking somewhere else on my spacious garden and agree with the neighbours to keep the trees under reasonable control.

sujsuj

sevenhills said:

sujsuj said:

1. Leyland hedge  Trees from neighbour's property are  very tall and more into my land than theirs. Before me raising it with them want  to know what response I could expect ? Are they legally responsible for cutting it to 2M  on their cost..? Or it is a grey area. Mine is a Rural area.

Why do you say it's your neighbours hedge, if they are more on your land? Surely it's your hedge, or a joint hedge.

Trees are in their land though majority branches in my land as they have another set of big trees behind hedge so trees branches ended-up in my land. Hope this makes sense..?

GDB2222

You are clear that the trees are in the way. You are clear that you want them as they provide privacy. So, you need to work out exactly what you do want. 

If you cut back conifers, you will regret it, as they look dreadful. So, be careful what you wish for.

sujsuj

daivid said:

Ectophile said:

There is specific legislation concerning high hedges.  It's buried in the Antisocial Behaviour Act, as section 8 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/38/part/8  The height limit is 2 metres.

So you can take action against someone whose over-sized conifer hedge is a nuisance.

This is correct but only if attempts at meditation have failed and at a cost of circa £300 to the council to decide if the hedge contravenes.

OP if you want to get this sorted you need to start by trying to have a civil dialogue with the neighbour: “tea and cake” as a longstanding forumite used to recommend. If you bring up your reservations about the hedge in a non-judgemental way you might just get things sorted quicker and cheaper than by creating a dispute (which you would have to declare if you sold your house). 

As to the hedge you can cut any parts overhanging your boundary with the proviso it doesn’t critically damage the tree. Any cuttings should be offered to the neighbours not just thrown over - if they don’t want them you will have to dispose of them properly. Individual trees not part of a hedge: to insist on action you would need to prove they were causing damage to your house or that they were dangerous (beyond 'they might fall in a gale')- going down either route will cost.

parts overhanging your boundary with the proviso it doesn’t critically damage the tree
If major part of tree (branches) except trunk in my side of fence how can I be sure me cutting bits in my land will not critically damage tree. Thanks.

sujsuj

I believe these trees are affecting my TV reception, broadband/telephone and even power line thus affecting my Quality of Life.
I suppose that is a solid ground to approach council/neighbour..? Not sure if can get a letter from BT/Utility provider confirming their services are affected by the trees...? Thanks.

Eldi_Dos

This sounds like mission creep to me, I've got a chainsaw and I want to use it.

sujsuj

Section62 said:

sujsuj said:

It is taking half of my car parking already.

In your massive garden with extensive driveways and double garage?  Can you post a picture of the trees?

Living in a rural area it is a really good idea to try to get on well with your neighbours (both ways) and not a good idea to get the council involved in enforcement action unless there's a serious problem and the friendly approach hasn't worked.

One day you may need help from the neighbours (for example if you fall off the garage roof, roll your lawnmower over on top of you, fall off a ladder, cut your arm off with the chainsaw etc), so if you haven't already tried talking to them in a friendly way then for all our sakes please do as Doozergirl suggests.

You make the point yourself that this hedge gives you privacy - so unless there is a good reason why you need to park next to the trees, personally I'd opt for parking somewhere else on my spacious garden and agree with the neighbours to keep the trees under reasonable control.

Yes all the above could happen for me!

sujsuj

Section62 said:

sujsuj said:

It is taking half of my car parking already.

In your massive garden with extensive driveways and double garage?  Can you post a picture of the trees?

Living in a rural area it is a really good idea to try to get on well with your neighbours (both ways) and not a good idea to get the council involved in enforcement action unless there's a serious problem and the friendly approach hasn't worked.

One day you may need help from the neighbours (for example if you fall off the garage roof, roll your lawnmower over on top of you, fall off a ladder, cut your arm off with the chainsaw etc), so if you haven't already tried talking to them in a friendly way then for all our sakes please do as Doozergirl suggests.

You make the point yourself that this hedge gives you privacy - so unless there is a good reason why you need to park next to the trees, personally I'd opt for parking somewhere else on my spacious garden and agree with the neighbours to keep the trees under reasonable control.

There wasn't any hedge trimming in last 3 years. By the took of it last 10 years nothing done. Leylandii are at-least 8/9 M tall now. In last year's storm, one of them end up falling on my telephone line causing damage and distruption to the service.

Section62

sujsuj said:

Section62 said:

sujsuj said:

It is taking half of my car parking already.

In your massive garden with extensive driveways and double garage?  Can you post a picture of the trees?

Living in a rural area it is a really good idea to try to get on well with your neighbours (both ways) and not a good idea to get the council involved in enforcement action unless there's a serious problem and the friendly approach hasn't worked.

One day you may need help from the neighbours (for example if you fall off the garage roof, roll your lawnmower over on top of you, fall off a ladder, cut your arm off with the chainsaw etc), so if you haven't already tried talking to them in a friendly way then for all our sakes please do as Doozergirl suggests.

You make the point yourself that this hedge gives you privacy - so unless there is a good reason why you need to park next to the trees, personally I'd opt for parking somewhere else on my spacious garden and agree with the neighbours to keep the trees under reasonable control.

There wasn't any hedge trimming in last 3 years. By the took of it last 10 years nothing done. Leylandii are at-least 8/9 M tall now. In last year's storm, one of them end up falling on my telephone line causing damage and distruption to the service.

Yes... but have you actually spoken to the neighbours in a friendly way and mentioned the height and spread of the trees?