A Bridge of Weir resident involved in a dispute with Rangers legend Ally McCoist over the height of two trees has taken the issue to the Scottish Government.
Alan Tyers has challenged a Renfrewshire Council ruling that a "high hedge notice" should not be served on the football pundit through an appeal to ministers.
He has claimed the “fast-growing, very old sycamores” block light into his house and falling branches have damaged his roof during adverse weather events.
Tyers sought a solution under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, which allows local authorities to order for qualifying trees to be cut back, but the application was refused.
Planners said it is not considered their height – estimated to be in excess of 27 metres – “adversely affects the enjoyment of the domestic property” which someone “could reasonably expect to have.”
But Tyers has not backed down and instead escalated the matter to the planning and environmental appeals division at the end of last month.
In his appeal form, he said: “These are fast-growing, very old Sycamores, which combined with increased storm activity and high wind events over recent years in line with climate change, have meant that the problem has increased year on year.
“I am now living with the real fear and risk of tree collapse onto my house.
“During storms the upstairs rooms to that side of the house overshadowed by the trees are unusable for fear of tree collapse and by virtue of noise of falling debris.
“The trees overhang my rear door and block out light from the rear windowed door area, causing my rear hallway to be darkened.”
The council explained in its report of handling it had considered the site as a whole, including the “scale, nature and characteristics” of the neighbouring properties and their plots as well as the “arrangement, make up and characteristics of the trees” in coming to its decision.
In its official notice, it added: “It is not considered that the height of the high hedge adversely affects the enjoyment of the domestic property to which an occupant of that property could reasonably expect to have.
“A high hedge notice should not be served.”
However, Tyers insisted: “I should be allowed reasonable enjoyment of my property without the adverse effects of a neighbour’s high hedge which had been unmaintained for decades to the point it impacts the enjoyment of my home through blocking light to a bedroom, rear doorway and causing damage and fear of injury.”
In a case update posted earlier this month, the Scottish Government confirmed the appeal is ready to be allocated to a reporter for consideration. A target date of July 28 has been set by the division.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted McCoist’s representatives for comment.
