Just another hedge thread.

[snuffle]

Garden is bordered to one side by local playing field with a blackthorn hedge with some trees on our side of an old chain link fence,
about 2 years ago a fenced small play area was built alongside our hedge.fence is about 1m tall, hedge is about 3m tall.

we raised concern at the time with parish council about how close play park was to be built.
before the play area was built we kept the hedge trimmed on both sides,
when the area was built the contractors cut the hedge back in order to place the new low fence about 1foot from our boundary.

fast forward 2 years.
we have not trimmed the hedge on the play area side as doing so would mean that we would be using power saws etc near playing children and also we were worried about leaving any sharp clippings behind when finished.

parish council have now decided to formally request that we trim hedge, or they will and send us the bill.

anybody able to advise as to where we stand on this? ( no not on a ladder to do the top)
edited to add badly drawn map below

Edited by snuffle on Monday 17th May 20:31

[eldar]

Did they consult you before the play area was built? Is there any problem with noise?

I can't see they have a leg to stand on regarding charging you, unless you were made aware of that possibility, and had the chance to discuss.

Go to the next PC meeting, and ask them what basis they have for charging you. May also be worth checking their insurance covers you while you play Texas chainsaw hedgetrimming at their request during playtime

I'm a parish councillor, and just love public participation.

[snuffle]

no real problem with noise, its a village green after all, main problems are with bottle food wrappers etc being thrown through the hedge and also parents who tell their kids to go and wee in the corner, it bleedin stinks there now

[eldar]

If you hedge grows over their boundary, they can cut the hedge back to the boundary, at their expense, and offer you the trimming back to you.

It is possible some by-law may modify this, but that should have been mentioned in the letter. Either write to the clerk, or go to a meting and ask why they think you are responsible.

[snuffle]

Thanks for advice Eldar, will contact them tomorrow.

[Simpo Two]

snuffle said:

we have not trimmed the hedge on the play area side as doing so would mean that we would be using power saws etc near playing children

Surely the children have not been playing continually for two years? If the Council has the courage to do anything near these fragile children then you can too