POLICY FOR BOUNDARY LINE PLANTING

BAR HILL PARISH COUNCIL

The Problem

Bar Hill Parish Council recognises that residents may wish to plant shrubs and similar greenery adjacent to boundary lines but on land owned by the parish Council.

Boundary lines are normally marked be fences and walls and either belong to residents or, in a number of cases, the Parish Council. Areas of ‘Open Plan’ grassland are normally marked by concrete edging at ground level.

The Council appreciates that such planting on their land can:-

· Improve the appearance of the village

· Assist residents to improve their personal safety by reducing the risks of becoming a victim of crime

· Reduce the risks of damage to Parish Council owned property

However, the planting of such greenery, if not managed appropriately, will lead to:-

· Damage to property owned by the Parish Council

· Impede grass/verge maintenance

· Increase maintenance costs

· Have an adverse impact on appearance of the village

It is therefore essential that any policy that allows planting by residents on Parish land must be balanced, taking into account the wishes of residents and the needs of the Parish Council to protect the overall interests of the village for its residents.

The Solution – The Policy

The Parish Council supports the principle of planting adjacent to boundary lines walls and fences on land owned by the Parish Council subject to the following conditions:-

a) Residents shall apply in writing to the Parish Clerk for permission to plant in land owned by the Parish Council

b) Requests will be considered and approval or rejection shall be communicated in writing with a copy of this policy

c) Planting will be restricted to with .5 metres from the boundary line and not allowed to spread beyond 1.5 metres from the boundary line or the edge of the footpath if closer.

d) The applicant/resident shall be responsible for ensuring that growth is restricted/maintained in accordance with c) above

e) Plants shall be of a type as to reduce the likelihood of damage to Parish Council property e.g. walls, fences and footpaths

f) Planting of trees will not be permitted

g) Planting on ‘open space land’ will not normally be permitted

h) The Parish Council reserves the right to remove planting where a resident fails to comply with this policy having first been given one months noticed in writing to take appropriate action

Retrospective Issues

The Parish Council acknowledges that a large number of residents have existing planting which occurred before the adoption of this policy. When it comes to the notice of the Council that existing planting is creating a problem a site visit will be made to assess the problem and if necessary action will be taken in accordance with h) above.

Adopted 4 February 2003

Reviewed September 2005