Row between Ally McCoist and neighbour over trees continues with inspection

A site visit has been scheduled in connection with a dispute between a Bridge of Weir resident and Rangers hero Ally McCoist over the height of two trees on his property.

The football pundit’s neighbour recently challenged Renfrewshire Council’s ruling that a ‘high hedge notice’ should not be served via an appeal to Scottish ministers.

Alan Tyers claimed the “fast-growing, very old Sycamores” block light into his house and falling branches have damaged his roof during adverse weather events.

He sought a solution under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, which allows councils to order for qualifying trees to be cut back, but the application was refused in April.

It has since been confirmed the reporter appointed to consider the case will carry out an inspection at the properties in question on Friday, July 10.

It is likely that, after doing so, they will have enough information to make their decision which will be issued in due course.

A target date of Tuesday, July 28, has been set by the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division.

Mr McCoist has made it clear he supports the local authority’s finding, writing to the case officer in May: “I respectfully submit that the appeal should be refused and the council’s decision upheld.”

The former Scotland international also questioned whether the specific trees meet the statutory definition of a ‘high hedge’ in the first place.

He added: “These are two mature, deciduous trees standing over six metres apart. They are not managed as a hedge and do not resemble what would ordinarily be understood to be a hedge.

“Their spacing, character and management are inconsistent with hedge planting as described in the guidance.

“It is respectfully submitted that the trees do not fall within the statutory definition of a ‘high hedge’ at all and that the original application should have been refused on that basis alone. This appeal should certainly be refused.”

Planners previously said it was 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 Mr Tyers refused to back down and escalated the matter at the end of April. 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.”