Derbyshire householder ordered to trim 25-metre hedge – which left neighbours “in shadow”

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
A stubborn Derbyshire householder whose giant garden hedge leaves adjoining neighbours’ properties “in shadow” has been ordered to trim the protruding tree or face prosecution.

Jon Rose’s “25-metre” high Leylandii conifer bushes “cast a full shadow” across one exasperated neighbour’s garden, blocking sunlight to solar panels on their garage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While other homeowners bordering Mr Rose’s Eckington property say the unruly shrub shows signs of damaging a paved area and risks “significant costly structural damage” to their garage.

Last week the council ruled Mr Rose’s hedges do “adversely affect the enjoyment” of adjoining properties on Southgate Court and Station Road.

Jon Rose has now been ordered to trim the huge hedge, picturedJon Rose has now been ordered to trim the huge hedge, pictured
Jon Rose has now been ordered to trim the huge hedge, pictured

In a warning letter to Mr Rose the council say the encroaching trees must now be pruned within six months - with failure to do so resulting in prosecution or a fine.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Council papers show Richard and Sheila Cory, who live next door to Mr Rose’s Station Road property, originally wrote a letter of complaint about the trees in 2013.

In the letter the couple wrote: “For much of the year they cast a full shadow across our garden and in the winter months they block the light of the sun when it is low in the sky from our kitchen.

Read More
Derbyshire neighbours in battle over 25m hedge
Richard and Sheila Cory in their Eckington garden - with the hedge in the backgroundRichard and Sheila Cory in their Eckington garden - with the hedge in the background
Richard and Sheila Cory in their Eckington garden - with the hedge in the background

“It disturbs me to think that maybe you are resisting the idea of cutting them down - I think you simply need to be a good neighbour and completely fell all of them.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However eight years later no action has been taken despite daily verbal reminders.

Documents show Mr Rose told a tree expert they were soaking up a water course which would otherwise cause flooding in the gardens.

However neighbour Richard Corey challenged this claim in a formal letter in January - requesting “documentary evidence”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In April, after asking North East Derbyshire District Council to step in, Mr Corey, 67, a retired mining geologist, said: “They dominate everything. They’re higher than the house now, about 20-25 metres high. It’s ridiculous – we would like them removed.

While wife Sheila, a 67-year-old retired district nurse, said: “It blocks our light.”

Planning officers say Mr Rose’s two conifer bushes must be trimmed to no more than 2.1 metres and 5.3 metres - and maintained at no more than 3.1 metres and 6.3 metres.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor: Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe

News you can trust since 1855
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice