A group of trees set for the chop after a resident complained it was blocking light to her garden has been spared – after the Scottish Government ruled it could not be considered a ‘high hedge’.

Glasgow City Council had ordered the trees in Ruchill to be cut to three metres following concerns from a local resident.

But the Scottish Government has now overturned that decision – saying the council’s high hedge notice is to be ‘quashed’ – as the trees ‘do not constitute a hedge’.

A letter sent from Maryhill Housing Association on behalf of the neighbour said: “the height of the trees” was impacting her “health and well-being” and urged the government to uphold the decision to cut the trees.

After inspecting the site the council found the trees on 493 Bilsland Drive were blocking light from 21 Parkbrae Gardens. It  served a high hedge notice saying the trees have an “overbearing and dominant impact” on the property and garden.

But agent Logan Factoring, acting on behalf of owner Bilsland Drive Ltd., lodged an appeal over the council’s decision with Holyrood.

Glasgow Times:

Logan Factoring said branches were already trimmed last year. They voiced concern that deer live among the trees and there is a bat community.  Logan Factoring said one tree may need a tree preservation order and reducing it to three metres would destroy “important landscape and habitat.” In an appeal statement, they also said they are trying to support “a new habitat for red squirrels.”

After visiting the north Glasgow site last month, the Scottish Government reporter said: “I quash the high hedge notice served by Glasgow City Council.”

Announcing the decision on the appeal earlier this month, the Reporter said “the trees and shrubs, subject of the high hedge notice, do not constitute a hedge.”

The Reporter added:  “In light of this conclusion, I am not required to consider whether the trees adversely affect the enjoyment of 21 Parkbrae Gardens which an occupant of that property could reasonably be expected to have.

“Given that I find there is no high hedge, it follows that the high hedge notice must be quashed.”

The Reporter said the position of the trees did not demonstrate typical hedge planting of regular spacing or close together.