A five year feud continues between Edinburgh neighbors, involving councils and police over a hedge dispute.
The conflict keeps growing and now involves different authorities, including the council, the Scottish Government, and police. The Smiths want the hedge removed, stating that their neighbors are harassing them.
The Smiths have lived there for 44 years. They usually get peace when the neighbors go to Spain; Keith said those six months are a “blessing.” He claims the owners are “unpredictable,” and that they even “shout” at them.
Once, the owner yelled some insults. The Smiths felt intimidated and provoked. The Hunters, the hedge owners, feel harassed and want a peaceful retirement also. They say Mr. Smith misused the complaint process.
The hedge is taller than allowed limits. Relations soured when the Smiths applied for a notice that would force trimming of the hedge. Police have visited the neighborhood several times.
One time, Julie was accused of taking a ladder. Police responded to the resident dispute, stating no crime was found. The next month, Keith was involved in a fight, and police issued warnings to two men.
Julie feels constantly scared in her garden now. The conflict is also hurting their marriage. She said Keith is always shouting, and she is anxious and stressed because of it. They are pensioners and should be enjoying life.
Hedges over two meters are “high” according to the law. Residents can apply for a High Hedge Notice when a hedge “adversely affects” enjoyment. The Smiths paid for their application in 2020.
The council didn’t think the hedge was a problem and rejected the Smith’s application. The Smiths appealed to a government agency, and the appeal succeeded. The agency agreed the hedge was too tall.
The Hunters were told to trim the hedges down to 2.6 meters. After delays, the Hunters trimmed some of the hedge. The council deemed the notice fulfilled in 2023.
After this, metal pipes and concrete went up. The Smiths believed it was to annoy them, also feeling the hedge cutting was not enough. One tree remained at its full height, and the Smiths demand that tree be trimmed.
The council ordered another review by a lawyer, who decided the tree should be cut. The dispute continues to this day and the council sub-committee discussed it this year. The owner refuses to trim the remaining tree.
The hedge owners complied with the notice, and the council agreed in April 2023. Since then, they feel harassed by the Smiths and reported this conflict to the authorities.
The Smiths believe they’re victims of the neighbor’s actions. They also feel the council failed them, and Keith feels angry the application was handled wrong.
The council admitted the tree should be cut, but fears court action if they force it. The sub-committee voted to change the notice, which now states the remaining tree must be cut.
The council will issue a varied hedge notice. Police responded to a dispute back in June 2024 and also responded to a disturbance in July 2024.