Residents From Ladywell Want Oakham Town Council to Pay To Cut Hedges in Their Garden's and Car Park
A the landlord we should be making the allotment society cut the hedge.
They pay little money in rent to the council and charge to re-let the
plots, it is not clear what they do with all their income, they certainly
don't maintain their hedges.
I note some of from some of the photos the hedge grows at the bottom of
private gardens. Why are those home owner not willing to cut the hedge
in their garden or even their own car park.
Does the town council now have to pay to cut every ones hedge.
From the report provided to council it is clear to me the allotment society may
not be a good neighbour even refusing to discuss the issue.
Oakham Town Council proudly and incorrectly states on its websites it manages
the allotments as we have no representation on any of the societies committees
perhaps the time has come for the council to take all the allotments back into
its control?
16. A HEDGE BORDERING THE BURLEY ROAD ALLOTMENTS AND LADYWELL
CARPARK (Appendices Ki-Kii)
To consider a request from residents in Lady Well
(i) Would the Council be willing to make a financial contribution?
(ii) To make any other decisions as appropriate
Report No. TC05917
Appendix: Ki
Agenda Item: 16
Council
Date of Meeting: 11/10/2017
OAKHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Report Authors: Allison Greaves Title Clerk
Subject: Hedge bordering the Burley Road Allotments and Lady Well carpark
Applicable Strategies:
6. Maintain and improve OTC land and buildings for the benefit of the community
Background
The office has received a request (see appendix K ii) from residents in Lady Well requesting to
remove the existing boundary hedge and replace with a fence and are asking for a financial
contribution from Oakham Town Council.
The boundary is between Burley Road Allotments and 82c and the jointly owned car park of
82a, 82b,82c,91 and 92 Lady Well.
Members to note
1. If Council resolve to replace the hedge with a fence it would be difficult to refuse other
properties on Council boundaries in the future
2. The fence will need maintaining and at a future date will incur ongoing maintenance
costs
I have visited the site with allotment society members, and reminded them within the terms of
their lease agreement on the maintenance of the hedge.
They have agreed to instruct a contractor to carry out cutting back the hedge on their side along
the boundary
Recommendation
That Council resolve to have the hedge cut right back on the carpark side only
That Council instruct the Clerk to obtain quotations and authorise the work
Proposed Plan in respect of the Hedge bordering the Burley Road allotments and 82C Ladywell and
jointly owned car park of 82A, 82B, 82C, 91 & 92 Ladywell
Current Status
The hedge is approximately 11 feet tall
The hedge is very wide (up to 4 feet in places)
The hedge is made up of fast growing Elder and Hawthorn
The hedge has extended into the car park by several feet
The hedge is pushing over the fence running down the side of 82C Ladywell and has
engulfed the garden shed, the side of the house and the front fence.
The above factors mean this hedge is very difficult to maintain. The residents of 82C and 91
Ladywell have paid to have the hedge cut to a 6 foot level for several years however this has not
been maintained by most the allotment holders as previously agreed.
See Appendix 1 for Aerial Plan and Appendix 2 for photographs
Proposal
Remove the hedge and replace with low maintenance fencing consisting of concrete posts with
wooden fence panels.
The residents of 82C and 91 Ladywell are looking to complete this work and are requesting a
contribution from Oakham town council who own the land
The allotment society have been contacted however are unwilling to discuss the matter and have
referred the Ladywell resident to the Council
If the proposal is to be accepted the residents of 82C and 91 Ladywell request that the allotment
side of the fence is kept clear to allow for maintenance such as annual weatherproof wood stain.
Additionally we would request the allotment holder do not attach anything to the fence.
Previous examples include:
Barbed wire nailed along the front fence at 82C Ladywell
Large board nailed to the front fence at 82C Ladywell which caused the fence to be blown
down in strong wind.
To see photographs of issue please visit the council website:
The council should not be considering cutting hedges in private gardens and car parks
the allotment society needs to get its act together and get this sorted.
http://oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Correspondance-Item-16-Appendix-Kii-Hedge-Bordering-Burley-Road-Allotments.pdf
