Village couple claim their energy bills have soared and they can't enjoy their home because of neighbour's "overgrown" hedge

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A couple who claim their energy bills have skyrocketed due to their neighbour's 11m high hedge have taken their case to the Scottish Government.Gary and Joanna Short, who live in Lawmarnock Crescent in Bridge of Weir, say a 13-tree hedge at a house belonging to Eliza Wylie in Troon Drive is restricting light into their living room and causing large amounts of debris to fall onto their property.The pair - who have two young kids - claim the situation is ruining their enjoyment of their £552,000 home.After failing to reach a resolution in discussions with Ms Wylie, Mr and Mrs Short applied to Renfrewshire Council for a high hedge notice to be served on her property but this was refused.Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.

Sign up to our newsletters here.And they have now taken their fight to the government insisting the council's decision was "irrational".In appeal papers, Mr and Mrs Short say the hedge has not been maintained by the owner for more than 11 years and they are concerned their home could be damaged with branches now growing near gutters.They said: "As the hedge has not been maintained for 11 years, it has become massively overgrown."Professional tree surgeons would be required to maintain the hedge which now significantly overhangs our property."There are also potential costs with damage to property with branches now growing near gutters and roofline."The high hedge restricts light into our main living room requiring lights and heating to be turned on during the day and increased energy bills."We have tried to get this unmaintained hedge brought under control, through dialogue with the owner."Her own evidence confirms she hasn't touched the hedge for 11 years and her responses to us show