People said that the bush is preventing light from getting into their front rooms (Picture: BPM)

A woman has been ordered to chop a hedge which neighbours say has left them in the dark.

Susan Rogers was issued with the notice after her bush grew to 40ft high and 100ft long.

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Some neighbours said they don’t use their front rooms any more because of the darkness in Yr Aran, Dunvant, South Wales.

She was told to reduce the height of the hedge to nearly half its current height after complaints were received by Swansea Council.


However, Mrs Rogers tried to appeal against the council order and the planning inspectorate has now ruled in favour of her neighbours.



She was given three months to act, but with less than two weeks until the deadline runs out it doesn’t appear so though any action has been taken.

Mrs Rogers has until February 17 to trim the hedge to around half their current height (Picture: BPM)

Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Beryl Robbins said: ‘At a meeting of the local group of Neighbourhood Watch held in late September 2016 it was apparent all present were concerned about the very high hedge on the outside border of Yr Aran.

‘Attempts to discuss the problem with Mrs Rogers failed. On the advice of the Swansea Neighbourhood Watch Association we then contacted our councillor Jennifer Raynor, who has since guided and worked for us to try to get the height reduced.

‘This hedge greatly effects the living conditions of some houses on the opposite side of the road whose residents cannot see the sky from their living room windows and who lose a considerable amount of light and sunlight. To a lesser extent all surrounding houses and bungalows are affected.

‘The hedge is an eyesore and it now overhangs the road.’

Mrs Rogers tried to appeal against the decision, but the planning inspectorate ruled in her neighbours’ favour (Picture: BPM)

No work has yet started on reducing the hedge and neighbours are worried about the lack of action as birds nesting season is due to begin.

Mrs Raynor said: ‘Mrs Rogers needs to get a move on. The Inspector gave her three months to cut the hedge.

‘Mrs Rogers still has time to cut the hedge before the official start of the birds’ nesting season.’

Fellow ward councillor Louise Gibbard said: ‘Neighbourhood Watch groups from across Swansea attended the hearing last October.

‘High hedges are antisocial. The inspector visited the homes of the people and saw the hedge herself. We all want to see work started as soon as possible.’

She has until February 17 to trim her bush.