Farnsfield resident who fears large trees will damage his property feels Nottinghamshire County Council has been ‘negligent’

After the removal of ‘overgrown’ trees near his home was refused, a resident has been left feeling a council has been ‘negligent’.

Phil Reynolds, of Farnsfield, first raised the issue of the trees hitting his home with Nottinghamshire County Council in August 2023, and says he made numerous attempts to chase this issue over the course of a year.

During this time it was confirmed the council ‘wasn’t aware’ of the trees until he raised concerns — but it was decided the council would prune the trees to a three metre clearance of Mr Reynold’s property, on Spring Lane, and add them to a regular inspection route.

In August 2024, Mr Reynolds raised a small claims court case against the council, which he says was on the advice of his home insurance provider, for the cost of removing the trees in order to prevent future damage.

His claim stated: “These trees are now colliding with my house and also encroaching on to the road preventing tall vehicles from moving past if a car is coming the other way. The roots will also be causing underground damage to the property foundations and to the boundary wall.”

The claim was declined by the council in a response seen by the Advertiser as it could ‘find no evidence of council negligence’. However correspondence from a senior claims handler at the council also stated Mr Reynolds could ‘cut back any overhanging vegetation’ which encroached on his property at his own expense.

It added: “The council do not remove healthy trees.”

However, Mr Reynolds feels his concerns have not been abated, and said: “Despite my bests in pursuing the removal of the trees via the small claims court the council have done nothing more than pruned a couple of branches.

“The trees are overgrown and pose a major risk in damaging properties and vehicles in the future.”

He added that he felt the council had been ‘negligent’ in managing the trees — which he say collide with his property, and as they continue to rapidly grow pose future risk of damage to underground systems, brick walls and properties as well as having branches hanging out into the road.

Mr Reynolds said: “The branches also extend into the neighbour's garden and are too high and big for the neighbours to manage. The leaves that fall also pose a slip hazard which was realised last year as an elderly neighbour lost their footing taking the bins out.

“The council have advised they will only review every four to five years and by that time the trees will be a lot bigger. They have also advised that we as public are now allowed to have them removed so it looks like we're stuck with the nuisance.

“As a public service I don't see much in the way of service at all.”

A highways manager from Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We have been made aware of concerns by a resident on Spring Lane in Farnsfield, relating to overgrown trees.

“These trees were planted some time ago by a third-party, possibly a housing developer, and as such there were no record of the trees on our systems.

“Following the resident’s enquiry about the trees overhanging his property, an inspection took place and works were ordered to prune the trees with a 3m clearance to their property.

“We will now routinely inspect and maintain the trees as required to ensure that any risk to highway users or property is minimised.”