Scots couple win bitter row with neighbours over hedge that made lives 'misery'
A couple have won a bitter row with their neighbours over a hedge between their properties in Edinburgh.
Keith Smith, 71, and wife Julie, 68, were left frustrated by a row of cypress trees belonging to David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry in the city suburb of Prestonfield. The Smiths claimed the trees were making their lives a misery and turned to the City of Edinburgh Council in a bid to have them lopped.
They were left stunned when the council rejected the move but later successfully appealed to the government and the trees had to be cut to 8.5ft. But one tree remained which the Smiths insisted towered over their garden and left it in darkness.
Mr Hunter turned to the Scottish Government in a bid to save his tree but that has been rejected and it will have to be lopped to 8.5ft.
The row had grown increasingly bitter since 2020 with police even being involved after a disturbance was reported. In his appeal letter, Mr Hunter insisted the tree was not part of the hedge and begged for it to be kept.
He said: "The individual tree identified in the varied notice cannot reasonably be said to be part of the boundary hedge. It appears as a separate individual tree and has never been trimmed.
"We would be very grateful if you would take all our points and concerns into account and request that you quash the revised high hedge notice."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
In a document to the government, the Smiths said: "The cost to the public purse must be considerable in terms of government, council and police resources.
"We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope this will now lead to resolution."
Mrs Smith had earlier said she was constantly 'anxious, stressed and scared' to enter her garden and claimed the conflict had impacted on her marriage.
Government reporter Amanda Chisholm said: "During one period of sunshine, I observed that the disputed tree casts shadow over a significant proportion of the neighbouring property's rear garden.
"In any case, the varied high hedge notice applies to the hedge as a whole, which has already been found to adversely affect this property's reasonable enjoyment. In my view the part of the hedge that has not been reduced in height continues to do so."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Common household item that 1 in 5 never wash as experts say 'do it monthly'
The children's favourite is a hygiene blind spot in UK households, according to a new survey If you're a parent you may well find yourself tripping over toys and cuddly toys strewn across the house. But as well as being your child's comfort, teddy bears and soft toys are something a staggering amount of people admit to never washing. That's despite them being a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, allergens and dust mites. They may be well loved but new research has found that parents avoid washing teddy bears and cuddly companions for a number of reasons. However, experts at say they should be washed monthly to ensure they're aren't passing on anything nasty. Parents admit there are many reasons they avoid washing these snuggly bedtime buddies, travel companions, and comforters in times of need. A survey of 2,000 Brits uncovered this surprising hygiene blind spot in UK households. It found that more than one in five people (21 per cent) admit they've never washed their children's teddy bears or cuddly toys, despite 83% knowing they can carry germs. And that's despite 83 per cent admitting they know they can be harbouring all sorts of germs. Almost a third of Brits (32 per cent) say there's simply 'no reason' they haven't done it, whilst 15.6 per cent worry they'll get damaged in the machine. A further 6 per cent fear they'll lose their familiar scent. Katy Roberts, AO's washing machine expert, said that mums and dads should be washing these constant companions every month. She said: "As a rule of thumb, try to wash your teddy bear every month – particularly if they're regularly handled. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Blankets you should pop in the washing machine once every fortnight to help keep them fresh. Your teddies and blankets can easily harbour dust mites and allergens so err on the side of caution and stick them in your washing machine when they're dirty." If you're worried about destroying them, she has some advice. She added: "It's completely understandable that many of us are worried about washing our teddies at home, however with a few handy tips, there's no need to stress. "If your furry companion is looking a bit worse for wear, there's nothing finer for it than popping your teddy bear into your washing machine. To clean them properly, check your care label and if this has worn away over the years, then put on a gentle, cold wash with a mild detergent to be on the safe side. 'If your teddy has seen better days and is more on the delicate side, then use a soft cloth or sponge with shampoo and dab away at any dirty areas. Leave this to air dry naturally and you can even give this a quick fluff with a soft brush for a magic touch to finish."
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Unblock drains using plumber's natural method 'better' than vinegar and baking soda
Householders urged to use "better" solution to unblock their drains. A blocked drain can be a nightmare that causes a mess if it's not dealt with quickly. It's one of the most frustrating household problems, which usually crops up at the worst possible time. Drains can get clogged when food scraps and soapy residues build up in the pipes, making it hard for water to pass through. There are plenty of DIY hacks to take care of blocked drains, usually involving baking soda and vinegar. But according to plumbing experts, that common solution may not be the best course of action. Understanding what has clogged your drain will help ensure you are using the best unblocking solution. Kitchen sinks tend to get clogged with oils and food debris, while bathroom drains often deal with a combination of soap scum, hair, and skin cells, reports the Express. Experienced plumber and CEO of Ace Plumbing, Justin Cornforth, highlighted the need for targeted methods when tackling clogged drains. He advised against wasting time on conventional hacks in certain scenarios: 'Don't spend your time on methods like mixing baking soda and vinegar or other homemade solutions.' While this combination may help with minor kitchen clogs, Justin clearly states that it 'does nothing with hair and bathroom clogs.' When dealing with stubborn bathroom blockages, especially those caused by hair, he insists it's "better to use mechanical methods rather than the ones that work on a chemical level". His top recommendation is getting a drain snake, a tool that he explains is "excellent for removing clogs" because it "effectively catches hair, freeing up the drain.' He also stressed the importance of quality: 'A drain snake made of stainless steel would be a great long-lasting choice,' unlike cheaper plastic models that can break and worsen the problem. For those without a drain snake, Justin suggests repurposing a wire coat hanger. Straighten it out, leaving a small hook at one end, and carefully insert it into the drain to extract hair and other debris. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Kitchen clogs, on the other hand, often respond well to enzymatic drain cleaners. These natural products use enzymes – and sometimes bacteria – to break down organic matter such as fat, starch, and protein. According to Justin, they are 'better' than vinegar, baking soda, and even harsh chemical alternatives for grease-based clogs. While they may take longer to work and are less effective on mineral build-up, their gentle, eco-friendly formulation makes them a go-to choice for ongoing kitchen maintenance. For those looking to ditch the old vinegar and baking soda combo, these practical and natural solutions offer a plumber-approved way to tackle blockages without compromising your pipes — or your patience.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Couple finally win battle over neighbours' huge untrimmed hedge that left them suffering 'five years without sunshine'
A couple who have been embroiled in a long-running battle over a huge hedge overlooking their garden say they've suffered 'five years of misery and five years without sunshine' as a result. Keith Smith, 71, and his wife Julie, 68, told MailOnline that the matter has been a 'thorn in their side' that has taken a massive toll on their mental health. The couple have lived in their detached house, in the Prestonfield area of Edinburgh, for more than four decades. However, they say things changed after their neighbours moved in and planted cypress trees that grew several metres high. Mr Smith said the trees created a 'green wall' that went all the way along a fence dividing their gardens, preventing sunlight from getting into both the Smiths's garden and through the windows of their home - in what he brands a 'huge intrusion' and not suitable for adjoining gardens. This prompted an official row with the owners of the cypress trees, David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry, that has rumbled on for five years and seen the gardens inspected several times by various officials. Police have also attended over disputes between the neighbours. Edinburgh City Council initially knocked back the Smiths's bid to have the trees chopped down, but the couple later successfully appealed to the Scottish Government, which said the cypresses had to be cut down to 8.5 feet. The Hunters asked for one tree to be kept as it is, but that has also been ordered to be cut back to 8.5ft - and the Smiths say they are looking forward to this happening later this year. According to Edinburgh City Council's website, a hedge must be over 6.6ft from ground level before being considered a 'high hedge' potentially having a negative effect on people living nearby. Mr Smith, previously an employee of the local authority for 38 years, has now said that while the couple are hopeful the matter is dealt with, it has been 'a thorn in their side' and has caused them considerable stress and inconvenience, with many 'false dawns' along the way. In a document to the government, the couple previously said: 'The cost to the public purse must be considerable in terms of government, council and police resources. 'We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope, this will now lead to resolution.' The Hunters were unavailable for comment.
