Mum feels 'trapped' due to overgrown council trees

The shrubbery, hedging and tree has overgrown so much it blocks the light from the four windows across the family’s conservatory that looks out onto the field.

The mother has four children, aged seven, six, 18 months, and four months so spends most of her time looking after the two youngest in the living room of her home in Heron Close.

The living room has one window which looks out to the conservatory’s blocked windows.

Overgrown tree has not been cut for over eight years and is blocking four windows

She said: “It’s getting me really depressed.

"If I was working during the day and only coming home in the evening it wouldn’t bother me as much, but I’m actually home all day.

“It sounds ridiculous but it’s really annoying and getting me down. I can’t even look out to what should be a nice view outside, I feel trapped and enclosed in my own home.”

Overgrown tree blocking the view of the field from the conservatory

The family moved in over eight years ago in which time it hasn’t been cut once, and the hedging has overgrown to the point that is has pushed the fence back as well as blocking a pathway that other children from the neighbourhood play on.

View of council owned field between Pleckgate High School and Heron Close

The council owned field is situated behind Heron Close where the family’s property is and in between Pleckgate High School.

The woman said has been trying to contact the council for over a year, but the issue still hasn’t been resolved.

She said: “Every time I speak to somebody at the council, I get told the same thing.

"It’s always being passed onto somebody else, but nothing has been done.

“We’ve not received a call back from them saying this is the plan or the timeframe, there’s just nothing. It’s like we’re up against a brick wall.”

She said she is aware the hedging and shrubbery can’t all be trimmed down because of the wildlife and nature, however her issue is the safety of her four children.

“Because we’ve got hedging going through and over the fence, it’s completely unstable so I’m not happy to let them play near the fence when it’s not safe as far as I’m concerned.

“It could fall on them, there’s the shrubbery and there’s nettles coming through.”

Another photo of the overgrown tree blocking the view and light

Because it’s a council owned property, the woman said that she shouldn’t have to cut it and can’t afford to bill the council by hiring a gardener to do it.

She continued: “We do our side of the garden but with everything overhanging from the other side it’s still not safe enough.”

Responding to the situation, Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen executive member for environmental services, hopes the mother’s issue can be resolved soon.

The council started a tree cutting programme in April which will be carried out across the borough, he said.

Cllr Smith said: “It’s been hard work because of government funding cuts but we’re working as fast as we can.”

Helen Holland, Head of Growth & Development at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “The Council is aware of a resident enquiry in regards to a large tree on Council owned land, the circumstances of which are being investigated.

"Wherever possible, the Council is committed to maintaining the health of all Council trees through appropriate management.”