Latest news with #DavidHunter
The Sun
25-07-2025
- The Sun
Couple WIN bitter battle over neighbours' ‘untrimmed' hedge – after 5-year war ‘descended into chaos'
A COUPLE has won a bitter neighbour dispute over an untrimmed hedge after five years of furious feuding. Keith Smith, 71, and his wife Julie, 68, claimed their neighbours untrimmed cypress trees made their lives a misery. 2 The row of trees, belonging to David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry, sparked a five-year battle between the two couples in the quiet suburb of Prestonfield, Edinburgh. The neighbour war grew so bitter that it involved the Edinburgh City Council, the Scottish Government and even the police. The Smiths claim the trees cast a shadow across their garden, forcing the pensioners to live out their retirement in darkness. Demanding that the trees be chopped down, the Smiths turned to the local authority but were left frustrated when they were refused. The couple paid a massive £350 fee for a High Hedge Notice application which was denied after a visit from a city council officer. Appealing the decision, the Smiths won and managed to successfully have the trees trimmed back to 8.5ft in 2023. After the bush was trimmed the Smiths claim that gaps where tree once stood were suddenly replaced by gardening tools, including ladders, pipes and concrete. The pair went on to claim that the trim was inadequate and called for the council to come back, which they did and agreed that the remaining trees should be further cut back. Mr Hunter left a single tree standing untrimmed however which he claimed was not part of the "boundary hedge" and therefore not subject to the High Hedge Notice. The Smiths then insisted the remaining tree be cut back too with the dispute turning ugly again. My neighbours said they'd sue me if I touched the top of our overgrown joint hedge - so I got creative and they can't say a word The couple, who have lived in their home for 44 years, continued their brutal battle to have the foliage lopped back. Things got so bad that in June of last year the police were called to the quiet suburb where they issued "two men" with "recorded police warnings." Mr Smith previously claimed to Edinburgh Live that his neighbours behaviour had been "atrocious" and branded the couple's actions "absolutely appalling." The hedge owners refuse to chop down their bush flat out and claim they feel harassed and intimidated by the Smiths. The Smiths previously said: "We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope, this will now lead to resolution." An appeal launched by Mr Hunter in a bit to save his tree was rejected and the last remaining part of the hedge will now have to be cut back to 8.5ft. 2 Mr Hunter insisted that the remaining tree was not part of the hedge and begged that it be allowed to stand. He said in a document seen by the Mail Online: "The individual tree identified in the varied notice cannot reasonably be said to be part of the boundary hedge. "It appears as a separate individual tree and has never been trimmed. "We would be very grateful if you would take all our points and concerns into account and request that you quash the revised high hedge notice." Despite his pleas Mr Hunter was ordered to cut back the remaining piece of his hedge to 8.5ft in line with the previous High Hedge Notice. The Smiths were delighted after a Government official stated that the tree did in fact cast a shadow over a "significant" portion of their garden. The official also stated that the previous High Hedge Notice applied to the whole hedge, including the remaining tree. Despite the best efforts of Mr Hunter the government official ruled that the hedge damaged the Smith's enjoyment of their home. The government ruled that the remaining part of the hedge is now subject to the High Hedge Notice and should be trimmed to 8.5ft.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Couple celebrate victory after five-year row with neighbours over giant cypress tree that went to top of government and saw police called in
A couple have won a bitter row with their neighbours over a hedge they claimed were making their lives a misery. Keith Smith, 71, and his wife Julie, 68, were left frustrated by a row of cypress trees belonging to David Hunter and Niena Hunter Mistry in the Edinburgh suburb of Prestonfield. The five-year feud, which began as a mild disagreement, grew increasingly to involve Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government and even the police, who were called to the home multiple times. The Smiths turned to the City of Edinburgh Council in a bid to have them chopped down, but were left stunned when the council rejected. However, they later successfully appealed to the government and the trees had to be cut to 8.5ft. One tree remained, which the Smiths, who have resided in their detached home for 44 years, insisted towered over their garden and left it in darkness. Mr Hunter went to the Scottish Government in a bid to save his tree, but that has been rejected and it will have to be lopped to 8.5ft. In his appeal letter, Mr Hunter insisted the tree was not part of the hedge and begged for it to be kept. He said: 'The individual tree identified in the varied notice cannot reasonably be said to be part of the boundary hedge. 'It appears as a separate individual tree and has never been trimmed. 'We would be very grateful if you would take all our points and concerns into account and request that you quash the revised high hedge notice.' In a document to the government, the Smiths said: 'The cost to the public purse must be considerable in terms of government, council and police resources. 'We, the Smiths, have suffered hugely financially, emotionally and physically by this process and sincerely hope, this will now lead to resolution.' Mrs Smith had earlier said she was constantly 'anxious, stressed and scared' to enter her garden and claimed the conflict had impacted on her marriage. Government reporter Amanda Chisholm said: 'During one period of sunshine, I observed that the disputed tree casts shadow over a significant proportion of the neighbouring property's rear garden. 'In any case, the varied high hedge notice applies to the hedge as a whole, which has already been found to adversely affect this property's reasonable enjoyment. 'In my view the part of the hedge that has not been reduced in height continues to do so.'
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Taronga Zoo releases northern corroboree frogs into Brindabella National Park
More than 500 critically endangered frogs have been released into the Brindabella National Park in New South Wales. Fewer than 1,200 mature northern corroboree frogs are estimated to remain in the wild. The 544 juveniles – the largest cohort to be released – were bred at the Taronga Conservation Society. Del Leong of Taronga Zoo Sydney is smitten with the alpine amphibians. "They're an absolutely gorgeous animal," the herpetofauna zookeeper said. The zoo worked with the NSW state government's Saving Our Species program on the project. "We've been able to breed, maintain and bump up the numbers," Ms Leong said. "Our last release was around 200 only." Ms Leong says she is excited but a little nervous about tracking the progress of the tiny frogs in the years to come. "You know when your child leaves the coop? That's what it basically feels like" she said. NSW Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water senior threatened species officer David Hunter said the release was a significant step towards repopulating the species in the national park. "They're replicating population level processes to ensure the persistence of that critically endangered northern Brindabella population," he said. Dr Hunter said the species had characteristics that differentiated it from other frogs, including that they were not as agile as others. "[They're] quite a small squat species with quite short limbs" he said. "They can move kilometres, but they do this through this little crawling action." He said the species' distinctive black and yellow stripes was a warning to would-be predators. "We think their bright markings is actually to let other animals in the environment know that they're quite toxic," Dr Hunter said. "They primarily eat ants in their diet and they utilise the alkaloids in the ants. "They also synthesise their own alkaloids to put toxins in their skin." Dr Hunter said chytrid fungus, which was introduced into Australia in the 1970s, had crippled the wild population. "It's caused frog extinctions and declines globally and had a devastating impact on our frog fauna in Australia," he said. Dr Hunter said the frogs needed moist vegetation to breed and that pest control was vital. "Some invasive species, like feral deer and feral pigs, if they're not managed they'll completely destroy the breeding habitat," he said. "They remove the critical vegetation and they basically turn what is a well-vegetated, moist environment into a muddy hole."
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clyde launch search for a CEO as new post created in 'pivotal strategic move'
League Two club Clyde have announced they are welcoming applications for a newly created Chief Executive Officer post. The Bully Wee are gearing up for the new season and as well as recruiting for on the field duties, the club are making moves behind the scenes in what club director David Hunter has described a 'pivotal strategic move' for the side which currently plays at New Douglas Park in Hamilton. Advertisement Hunter said: 'This is a pivotal strategic move for the club in terms of its operating model. Appointing the right person for the position of CEO will significantly strengthen the efficiency of our daily operations and help lay the foundation for a sustainable, successful future. "We're seeking someone who shares our passion for sport, is driven to deliver success, and has the leadership qualities to bring our long-term vision to life.' READ MORE: East Kilbride boss makes hat-trick of signings and promises more will follow READ MORE: Rangers and Aberdeen tests ones to relish for new Motherwell boss as he looks forward to facing old pals Advertisement A club statement added: "This pivotal leadership position at the club offers an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking individual to shape the future direction of the club and strengthen its presence both on and off the field. "As the club continues to re-align its longer-term goals, a critical step in this is the recruitment of a CEO as we look to align our long-term vision with day-to-day operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the club's management, including commercial growth, community engagement, operational efficiency, and supporting football operations. "The recruitment process is now underway, and the club welcomes applications from experienced professionals with a proven track record in leadership, business development, and organisational growth. "The job description is available to read and any interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to info@ " Advertisement Meanwhile, on the park Clyde gaffer Darren Young has managed to keep Liam Scullion at the club after the winger signed a new one-year deal. Liam Scullion (centre) has signed a new deal, keeping him at the club next season -Credit:Craig Black The 23-year-old has made 108 appearances in four seasons at the club and Young said: 'We had to wait a bit to get Liam over the line, similar to Andy, as he had options to explore but I'm delighted to get him signed up for the new season. He's an important player for us and adds a lot to the team with goals and assists. 'We also missed him towards the end of the season but his injury has cleared up now and he's raring to go again. He adds quality and drive to our midfield and the squad is looking strong at this stage of pre-season.'
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Chapel Milton's Victorian viaduct to undergo £7.5m upgrade
A landmark railway viaduct spanning a Derbyshire valley is set to undergo a 7.5m of the 160-year-old twin viaducts at Chapel Milton, near Chapel-en-le-Frith, will be improved by Network Rail between now and the Victorian structure allows two freight lines to transport about 25,000 tonnes of stone, cement and limestone a day across the Black Brook Valley from four Peak District Hunter, from Network Rail, said it required a "modern touch to make sure freight trains can pass over it safely and efficiently for generations to come". He added: "Each train takes about 76 wagons off the roads."The longevity of the viaduct is essential to the success of the economy and reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector." Preparatory work has already begun ahead of the main upgrade project, which will include repairing brickwork, installing handrails and guardrails to improve safety for workers and strengthening the Great Rocks line will close between 29 August and 7 September while the track is removed and replaced by contractor first line of the Chapel Milton Viaduct was opened in 1867 for trains from London St Pancras to and from Manchester, with the second fork towards Sheffield operational from was built for passenger services, but is now solely used for are being invited to an information event between 16:00 and 19:00 BST on Wednesday at Chinley Chapel to find out more about the work and its impact on the community.
