Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Any knowledge/experience of tackling a reluctant council about a light blocking tree?
I've always had good results from this forum so thought I'd put this out there.
A friend in South London (sent me pics, illustrating the height of the tree, the cracking pavement around it etc) made a legitimate complaint to his council about the enormous tree outside his house which cuts out light from his and neighbours' properties.
I thought the council's response was unacceptably lazy and unaccountable, just saying they would look at it as part of their routine inspections and saying 'right to light' wasn't in the law!!
IF this is the case why is it that councils accept light restriction as a reason to reject house extension plans? It's happened next door to me. My friend said he and his neighbours were in their 80s and had to keep putting lights on because of this situation, an issue with the cost of living. I suspect this council has dismissed this as just a lot of old duffers complaining.
I'd be interested to have your views and insights.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh
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What gives councils the willies is insurance companies making claims on their wallet about subsidence caused by a tree. It sounds like there's reason to have cause for concern about your frinds tree. Is he the freeholder. If not, can he approach the person who is.
Failing that, it may be worth a few neighbours getting together and complaining about the dangers caused by the cracking to the pavement. The council has a legal responsibility under The Highways Act 1980, to maintain pavements in a safe condition for pedestrians.
What's the council and can you share the photos? Are there any that show the damage to the pavement?
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