Gary and Joanna Short insisted that they were left out of their pockets because of the rising utility costs due to the trees owned by Eliza Wylie. They said the trees between their properties in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, had ruined their 500 500,000 family home. He also claimed that the foliage of the trees had blocked the sewers and caused damage to their property. They applied to the Renfrewshire Council for a reduction in compensation, but were disappointed when the move was rejected. The couple appealed the decision to the Scottish Government, which has now said the trees should be cut down to 16 feet. In a letter of appeal, Shorts said: “As the fence has not been maintained by the owner for more than 11 years, it has become massively overgrown both in height and width. “Because of the height and width, professional tree surgeons will have to maintain the fence that now significantly protrudes from our property. There are also potential costs of property damage with branches now growing near gutters and the roofline. “Allowing this compensation to continue to grow will incur ongoing costs. “We tried to bring this unmaintained fence under control, through a dialogue with the owner. “Her own evidence confirms that she has not touched the fence for 11 years and her answers to us show that she has no desire to do the neighbor. “In dialogue with our neighbor and the council, we have always stated that we do not want the fence removed, we just asked for it to be brought under control to allow us to enjoy our space and the right to sunlight in our garden and especially living room.” . They added: “Another example is the higher energy bills due to the lights and the heating in the living room which have to be lit more due to the bad light that enters the front of the property”. Documents sent to the council revealed that Wylie did not believe the trees had caused a “limitation of enjoyment” in the Shorts garden. She also claimed that the trees provided her “privacy” and “environmental benefit” to the nesting birds and bats, adding that the trees were present long before the Shorts property was built. Rejecting the Shorts’ offer to cut down the trees, the Renfrewshire Council said: justified the service of a highly compensatory notice “. Reversing the council’s decision, government reporter Trevor Croft said: “While inspecting my site, I saw a significant portion of the property protruding from the fence and given its proximity to the garden it could not have been avoided. “Near the fence when you are standing on the road, and especially when you go down the outside stairs, this could lead to an oppressive feeling. “I am appealing and issuing a high compensation notice. I have considered all the other issues raised, but there is no one to lead me to change my conclusions.” The work on the trees must be done by September of this year. Do not miss the latest news from all over Scotland and beyond – Subscribe to our daily newsletter here .
