Inverkeilor campaigner calls for ‘pragmatic approach’ to tackle nuisance hedges

An Angus campaigner has called for a pragmatic approach over a proposed bill to tackle nuisance high hedges.

Pamala McDougall from Inverkeilor has been campaigning for legislation to be established to tackle nuisance hedges, trees and vegetation that cause neighbour disputes for more than a decade.

She founded pressure group Scothedge to raise awareness of the issue and was delighted when proposed legislation aimed at tackling the problem was lodged with the Scottish Parliament last week by MSP Mark McDonald.

The proposed High Hedges Bill was raised in a stage one debate at Holyrood and it received comprehensive cross-party praise and support.

But Mrs McDougall said the bill’s definition of a high hedge may not be broad enough.

She is keen for the bill to be amended to include deciduous and single tree cases as they account for almost 40% of the cases dealt with by Scothedge but has suggested that a pragmatic approach may have to be taken to get the bill made into law.