That's fair enough @info 445 ! If you cut right back, are you happy to have bare conifer trunks ? Even if you did that, you'd have a right job trying to get through the roots, and the soil would be very poor. If you can come out nearer 2 metres (or maybe 1.5) , you could give the new plants a much better chance. Whatever you do, it's going to probably look quite scruffy for a while, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, as they say.
Hi AnniD,
es, I see what you are saying I will consider your points it may be that planning is the root I have to go down if the hedge has to go back 1.5 to 2 meters. Thanks for the insight exactly the kind of thing I needed to know before I committed to this.
Hi Info445, regarding the planning issue, have you looked around your immediate area so see if there any other gardens with a 2 m fence on top the wall? Is there a footpath the other side? I think Dappled shade is right, the planners are probably not bothered about a fence with a trellis top on it. We were in the same position, as although we don't technically have a footpath (just a grass verge the council maintain) there is a road. We put up a 4 ft fence + 2ft trellis (approx. 2 m) and didn't put in for planning and have had no bother since (and Bath is notorious for it's tough planning laws, being a World Heritage city!). We have a winter-flowering clematis and solanum one side and a red climbing rose/wisteria the other. It could look so much better than your existing conifer hedge and would cost less. I think you are very unlikely to be able to cut back the front of the conifers (which would look horrible) and establish anything in front because of the very poor soil conditions/heavy shade.
Hi Lizzie,
Thanks for your advice I think we may have to go down the planning route for a fence.
For planning control to get involved someone would have to draw it to their attention within 4 years after it goes up. The trouble is if planning control are informed and if it is not within permitted development you would have to apply for retrospective planning.
Info445, if the existing hedge is cracking your wall, you would be much better off to get rid of it. You could then put up a 1 metre high fence (possibly with trellis on top) sitting on top of your 1 metre wall. Unless you have double decker buses passing by on the road, I don't see what your problem is with privacy, you don't really need anything higher than 2 metres. If you have houses the other side of the road, all you need is one or two strategically placed small trees - a darn sight nicer to look at than an overbearing evergreen hedge.
If you retain the existing hedge, it is only going to cause more problems in the future and will get higher and higher. If it's leylandi, it could easily get to 30-40ft high.
@info 445, l appreciate your dilemma, l can see that removing that hedge would make you feel somewhat vulnerable, as it has a definite "fortress feel". Is there a footpath on the other side ? Strangely enough, removing it may be better for your security as people would be unable to use it as cover. Something seriously prickly such as berberis or pyracantha can be extremely effective, trust me ! Please let us know how you get on
Posts
es, I see what you are saying I will consider your points it may be that planning is the root I have to go down if the hedge has to go back 1.5 to 2 meters. Thanks for the insight exactly the kind of thing I needed to know before I committed to this.
Hi Lizzie,
Thanks for your advice I think we may have to go down the planning route for a fence.
For planning control to get involved someone would have to draw it to their attention within 4 years after it goes up. The trouble is if planning control are informed and if it is not within permitted development you would have to apply for retrospective planning.
If you retain the existing hedge, it is only going to cause more problems in the future and will get higher and higher. If it's leylandi, it could easily get to 30-40ft high.