Boundary Hedge Dispute

The controversy that has recently blown up over a leylandii hedge at the new Methodist Homes Association complex in Moathouse Lane West Wednesfield has been tackled.

The Management of the homes writing to all the neighbours that share a boundary with the site some 43 properties setting out the minutes of the last consultation. Also asking the neighbours to respond to a further information bulletin.

Councillor Phil Bateman said Councillor Dave Jones and I applaud the swift action of Methodist Homes to deal with this case and we urge all those affected to follow the content of the correspondence and respond.There is a genuine attempt here to understand what is required so we would urge everyone who has a view to contact Methodist Homes.

This is the view of Methodist Homes association...


"Development at Moathouse Lane West, Wednesfield



You may recall that we wrote to you in July 2004 advising that our development proposals included the removal of the leylandii hedge which surrounds much of the Moathouse Lane West site which is currently under construction. We advised this again at the meeting on 7 February 2005, explaining the difficulty of maintaining such a fast growing species. However we understand that some people living in the surrounding properties are unhappy about this.



We also discussed the removal of the existing metal palisade fencing, which is a planning condition, and replacing this with either replacement metal railings or close boarded fencing. We would need to discuss with all of you individually whether it would be possible for you to have the “good” side of the fencing and posts; where there are existing sheds on the boundary for instance, this may provide difficult.



We were asked whether we could consider removing the concrete and mesh fencing which is an additional boundary between some of your properties and our site.



We enclose a reply form so that we can get feedback from all our new neighbours on all these issues. We would be very grateful if you could complete this and send it back to us in the attached freepost envelope to reach us by Thursday 24 February.



Finally, we enclose notes from the meeting held on Monday 7 February. We will be sending a copy of the new landscaping plan as soon as it has been agreed with the planners."

Notes of the Previous Meeting.
Notes of meeting held 7 February 2005 at Moathouse Lane Tenants Meeting Room at Moathouse Lane East


Attended by:
Melanie Shreeve Group Development & Asset Manager MHA Care Group
Lynn Mitchell Commissioning Manager, MHA Care Group
Joanne Grainger Care Centre Manager, MHA Care Group
Andy Patrick Managing Director, Termrim Construction Limited

23 people neighbours attended representing 18 out of the 32 neighbouring properties


Lynn and Melanie gave a short presentation on MHA Care Group and the new development. Contact details for all present were made available.

Concerns were raised regarding increase in traffic, in particular noise and weekends, noise from staff and visitors. Also concerns regarding children crossing the road for both the infant/junior school and children going over the bridge to senior school. Joanne will be liaising with the schools, and it was noted that the traffic from the new project is likely to be an improvement on when it was a depot.

Comments were made in relation to changes that have been made to the building. There were still old plans in circulation, and it was confirmed that the building which is now being built has a smaller Resource Centre than that shown on the plans at the meeting. It was also agreed that MHA would send neighbours copy of the new landscaping plan when it had been agreed with planners.

There was some opposition to the removal of the current steel fencing, and it was explained that this was a planning condition. Most who attended the meeting wanted the trees removed, and also wanted the mesh fencing and concrete posts removed.

One gentleman referred to silver birch trees on our land, which he would like removed with the others.

Most seemed happy with the suggestion of replacing the palisade fencing with 6ft high close boarded fencing, but wanted to know who would be viewing the “good” side of the fencing and posts.

It was agreed to send out a questionnaire consulting with neighbours about the proposed works.