Investigating
Overweight Hedges and damage to Boundary Property
Sent to West Northamptonshire Council less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 7936671.
This item was reported this month but closed with 24 hours by WNC. However no physical assessment was made at the boundary property including the fence itself which has been damaged and now further compromised by more trees growing against it. An assessment is required from the boundary property namely Hillside Fessey Road.
This complaint is submitted as our property is being damaged by a very high and wide hedge consisting of trees and vegetation along our boundary fence on Woodford Road. This hedge is • growing on land owned by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) • made up of a line of 2 or more trees or shrubs • It is mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen and overgrown • more than 2 metres tall • almost a total barrier to light • harms the reasonable enjoyment of our home and garden. • Poses a risk to our property due to height and overhanging. This is very noticeable when winds are stronger and the trajectory of the branches threatens the safety of our property.
The hedge has resulted in significant expense and damage to our property. Since we moved into the property in April 2021 we have; • incurred thousands of pounds in garden clearance costs due to overhanging branches, ivy and the need to remove sycamore seeds and plants originating from your vegetation • Needed to replace the roof of our garden room due to the damage caused by vegetation and branches from your hedge destroying the roof and causing water ingress • Spent £100’s of repairing our boundary fence as your tress and overgrown vegetation have broken parts of it - the hedge is now further pushing directly against it.
We have raised this matter previously in 2023. After 6 months this resulted in WNC cutting back some ivy only. This has not stopped the growth of the ivy or the hedge/trees itself due to more trees growing from the sycamores present in the hedge.
Updates
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Thank you for reporting a fault. Officers will now investigate the concerns and this may take up to 5 working days. If you believe that your concerns are urgent then please phone us.
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Investigation: Ongoing - Thank you for your enquiry. A qualified Highways Inspector has assessed the photo/s, and we are undertaking a landownership investigation and will update you shortly.
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Investigation: Completed (Defect Found) - Thank you for your enquiry. A qualified Highways Inspector has assessed the photo/s, and we are undertaking a landownership investigation and will update you shortly.
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WNC have previously advised the land is owned by WNC. Has the land ownership been completed and if so what are the next steps please.
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Thank you for providing an update. Officers will now investigate the concerns and this may take up to 5 working days. If you believe that your concerns are urgent then please phone us.
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Investigation: Completed (Defect Found) - Thank you for your enquiry. A qualified Highways Inspector has assessed the photo/s, and we are undertaking a landownership investigation and will update you shortly.
For more information about our services, please visit https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/ parking-roads-and-transport
You can also keep up to date on highways by following us on Facebook and Twitter @wnhighways -
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Investigation: Ongoing (Defect Found) - Thank you for your enquiry. A qualified Highways Inspector has assessed the photo/s, and we are undertaking a landownership investigation and will update you shortly.
For more information about our services, please visit https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/ parking-roads-and-transport
You can also keep up to date on highways by following us on Facebook and Twitter @wnhighways -
This problem has not been fixed and awaits a further response and update from WNC which has been requested
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Thank you for providing an update. Officers will now investigate the concerns and this may take up to 5 working days. If you believe that your concerns are urgent then please phone us.
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