Plymouth man remains defiant over giant trees in his front garden after media storm
A PLYMOUTH man at the centre of a dispute over his tall trees remains defiant, claiming he has broken no laws.
The Herald broke the news this week about the row between David Alvand and his neighbours in Churchway, Weston Mill.
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DOOR-STEPPED: David Alvand talks to a journalist, above, and, right, the trees at the centre of the protests
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WHERE THE HERALD LEADS... The Herald carried the story on its front page on Monday, above, followed yesterday by the Daily Telegraph, above right, the Sun, Daily Mirror, middle, and, far right, the Daily Express
Residents have banded together to formally complain to Plymouth City Council about the 16 Leyland cypress trees in Mr Alvand's front garden which have grown so high, they now dwarf his home.
The national media spent much of yesterday camped outside his home, where 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.
The fresh complaint, made under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, has been made by a neighbour and is being supported financially by numerous others.
Council chiefs say they have launched a new investigation but said it was 'on hold' in the hope both parties could come to a amicable agreement.
However, Mr Alvand, speaking from his home, told The Herald: "I've not broken any laws.
"Why should I comment? I've done nothing wrong. I've done nothing against the law."
One Churchway resident said residents initially complained to Mr Alvand when he first planted the trees about a decade ago.
The neighbour said: "They were 2ft or 3ft high then. We told him Leylandii get really tall, but he said it wasn't a problem, he would have them regularly cut."
A council spokesman said if an agreement could not be reached, tree officers would visit the property and establish what remedial action needed to be taken.
41 Comments
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by Bottom of my shoe., plymouth
Friday, September 10 2010, 1:26AM
“Martin Muddled Mutley Muppet.....”
by SKoM, Cullompton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:59PM
“UK law is on the side of the neighbours
They not only have the right to cut back overhanging branches they can dig up any roots in their ground.
Mr Alvand is also liable for any damage done to a neighbour's property
This kind of nuisance is covered under the (2003?) hedges legislation.
Anyone who thinks that this is acceptable has a threaded fastener that needs re-tourqing.”
by Paul, Saltash
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:56AM
“erm........... Mr Angry I was quoting someone else commenting on here(Martin, Mutley).
I am in full agreement with you and the majority that the trees are a problem for the neighbours.”
by marie, honicknowle
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:26PM
“i'm glad i don't live next door to him and his giant tree house!”
by mfritz0, Hanford, CA. U.S.A.
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:29PM
“Harry, that is your opinion, you are entitled to it, but you do know what they say about opinions, don't you? Everybody has one.....”
by Mr Angry, Milehouse
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:45PM
“Paul Saltash. It is irrelavent where in the city this property is. Perhaps if his front garden was a couple of square acres, it wouldn't matter. And maybe according to the law he hasnt done anything wrong, beacause 99% of the time people are decent and respectful of their fellow neighbours, and can come to some sort of compromise, but maybe with the increase in these nusiance neighbours perhaps new legislation and laws will be written to protect the decent civil people of this country.”
by Wendy, plymouth
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:30PM
“We have similar problems where I live, trees higher than the house. Apart from blocking out light, it's a known fact tree roots can damage the foundations of a house including near by neighbours. Not sure if the house is private or not, if it belongs to PCH maybe somebody should be thinking about the cost of repair when the house walls start cracking and who will be footing the bill for this. If private with all the media coverage it might draw the attention of the house insurance companies.”
by Old Fella, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:29PM
“I dont know how big Mr Avlands front garden is but it sure isn't large eneough to hold 16 Leylandia trees each of which can grow to over 100 feet tall.
If he continued to exercise his freedom to grow what he likes his foundations would soon be cracked beyond repair along with all his neighbours.
Perhaps if the council moved all those supporting Mr Avlands rights on these pages to become his neighbours the problem would all be over. He could continue doing what he wants and they could all gather around and support him, that is until their house fell down!.”
by Paul, Saltash
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:25PM
“But he's done nothing wrong. And its not as if this is a smart part of town. It sounds as if yet again he is being bullied and picked on because he's foreign and a bit of an individual
Martin, Mutley
Are you really throwing racists accusations around in this comment Martin???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? etc.”
by Mr Angry, Milehouse
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:18PM
“Steve Millbay, its not a case of people sticking their noses in. There are numerous reasons why these neighbours are upset which have been documented here and with his previous issues with the wall. What does he gain from having such a large tree blocking everything out, apart from annoying his neighbours, i am sure if he kept the tree to a reasonable size everone would be happy, im sure in time if it falls down he could potentially be prosecuted if any damage or injury is caused, potentially even a fatality. Still you'll be ok because you'll be walking past Armada Way!”