Council cuts hit home in Tweedbank
Ally McGilvray • Published 21 Nov 2011 09:30
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RED-FACED council chiefs have been forced to apologise to a family in Tweedbank after they unwittingly destroyed part of their home.
Richard and Petra Cannon, of Lochend, this week admitted they were shocked to discover Scottish Borders Council had chopped down their prized six foot hedge, which separates their garden from a public path.
They claimed it had left them feeling exposed and had resulted in a loss of privacy.
The couple revealed they had paid a landscape gardener to keep the hedge, which is believed to be as old as the village, looking trim.
However, they revealed the local authority chopped it down without any consultation - or warning.
Petra said: "It was really very lovely looking so we are very upset. We are now left totally without privacy and it's going to take years to grow back."
The hedge, which used to overlook Gunknowe Loch, was believed to be a haven for local wildlife. But, with winter setting in, many birds are thought to have been left homeless.
Community councillors heard of the couple's concerns at their meeting in the community centre last week.
Councillor Nicholas Watson, who represents the area on Scottish Borders Council, said: "It wasn't the council's hedge and they have apologised."
Earlier this year, we reported that blundering council chiefs ordered a tree at a local beauty spot to be chopped down and then dumped its remains on a patch of grass where community councillors had recently planted hundreds of pounds worth of flowers to spruce up the area.
Chairman John Cavaroli said: "Maybe they are being more ruthless with their pruning so it won't grow back so quickly to save money."
It is understood Scottish Borders Council could offer to replant some of the hedge which was destroyed.
A spokesman for the local authority said: "The hedge was reduced at the end of last month. However, we have received a complaint from a local resident, that it has left their house slightly exposed. We are now investigating the matter and will engage with them to arrive at a reasonable solution."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 21 Nov 11
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