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Shadwell: Pensioner digs in as hedge row takes four years - and still no decision
Shadwell pensioner Kenneth Wright has run out of patience with bureaucrats who have taken FOUR years to decide over a Leylandii hedge.
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The 80-year-old former oil boss has compiled a dossier of 40 letters, e-mails and questionnaires from council chiefs promising to intervene but he says his case is still at the back of the queue.
Mr Wright is unhappy about the height of the hedge on his neighbours' property on Ash Hill Gardens and paid 125 for the local authority to use 'high hedge laws'.
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Mr Wright now plans to bypass the council by taking the issue to the Government's planning inspectorate.
The keen gardener claims the bush is 20ft high, blocks sunlight to his property and restricts his view to the church where his wife is buried.
Local councillors, MP Fabian Hamilton, senior planning officers and tree experts have all been involved.
Mr Wright says Leeds City Council officers persistently say other planning issues must take priority. He also believes it makes a mockery of the legislation introduced in 2005 under the Antisocial Behaviour Act.
Mr Wright said: "I am determined to get this resolved once and for all."
He has been told by the council that it does not plan to take action as the bush now meets required height regulations. The decision is still subject to a second opinion.
A letter from chief strategy and planning officer Steven Speak states: "The high hedge legislation does not give a timescale for concluding complaints. Where this work is in competition with time limited issues such as a conservation area and tree preservation order, it has been given a lower priority. This has led to a lower level of service than that which would be reasonably expected.
"I apologise sincerely for the very long delay in concluding the complaint."
Mr Wright said: "I want to spend my last few years enjoying my garden, enjoying time with my grandchildren and tending my wife's grave.
"I have no wish to fall out with my neighbour over this. My problem is not with them. All I want is for Leeds City Council to do what they are paid to and make a decision."
Mr Wright's neighbours, Nigel and Lydia Ziff, declined to comment.
A council spokesman said: "Two officers have visited Mr Wright's property to check the height of the bush and both have concluded it is not appropriate to issue a notice against its owner."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
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