A PLYMOUTH man who lost a lengthy legal wrangle over the height of his garden wall is facing a new investigation — this time over the height of trees, writes Edd Moore.

Fed-up neighbours of David Alvand have clubbed together to make a formal complaint to Plymouth City Council, saying they are angry that 16 Leyland cypress trees in Mr Alvand's front garden have grown so high, they dwarf the houses in Churchway, Weston Mill.

Believed to have been planted shortly after he moved to the property in 1991, they now completely obscure Mr Alvand's semi-detached house.

He told The Herald he felt victimised after being "chased" for two decades over the state of his gardens.

In July 2000, Mr Alvand was hit with a council enforcement notice ordering him to lower high walls he built on both sides of his garden.

His refusal led to a string of criminal and civil hearings which cost the council more than £20,000.

When a judge threatened him with jail in January 2004, he finally lowered what was dubbed the 'Berlin Wall', ending a 12-year dispute he described as 'a personal vendetta'.

But now a fresh complaint, made under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, has been made by a neighbour — and is being supported financially by numerous others.

The council confirmed it had launched an investigation but said it was 'on hold, in the hope both parties could come to an agreement.

If they could not, council staff would visit and decide whether action was needed.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had begun mediation over the trees in July 2000, without success.

"The wall took 15-16 years to sort out," he said. "It's been a nightmare. Now the trees are an eyesore — they block out sunlight and make the street look bad."

Another, elderly neighbour added: "I think they're monstrous. They've gone higher than the roof of our houses now. They look horrendous."

Mr Alvand said he did not wish to comment, other than to say he was a law-abiding citizen who had suffered 20 years of 'being chased' over his wall and trees.

A council spokesman said: "Our tree officers have contacted Mr Alvand, who indicated he would like to explore further mediation with his neighbours.

"It is good practice to put a complaint 'on hold' for a short time to see if an amicable solution can be found."