28-05-2025
Man locked in bitter war with neighbour as 160ft-long hedge ‘ruins' view of Donald Trump's Scottish golf course
He claims approximately 50 per cent of his window light is obstructed
SHRUB SNUB Man locked in bitter war with neighbour as 160ft-long hedge 'ruins' view of Donald Trump's Scottish golf course
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A MAN who claims a farmer's hedge has ruined his views of Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course has taken his fight to the government.
Graeme Moir lives next to a farm owned by James Duthie on the outskirts of Foveran, Aberdeenshire.
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Mr Moir has claimed the hedge stops him seeing the Menie dunes
Credit: PA
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He insists the 10ft high and 160ft long hedge restricts light coming into his cottage
Credit: Pressteam Scotland
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He has turned to the Scottish Government to try and overturn the decision
Credit: Pressteam Scotland
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The golf course is owned by US President Donald Trump
Credit: Getty
Mr Moir has claimed the hedge stops him seeing the Menie dunes, the North Sea and the golf course owned by the US President.
He also insists the 10ft high and 160ft long hedge restricts light coming into his cottage and causes him to have increased heating and lighting costs.
Mr Moir went to Aberdeenshire Council under high hedge legislation in a bid to have it lopped but was left frustrated when the bid was rejected.
He has now turned to the Scottish Government to try and overturn the decision.
In a letter to the council, he said: "I have lived here for over 37 years.
"We are on top of a hill with excellent views of the Menie dunes and Trump's golf course.
"The hedge has formed a total block of light on my garden, especially my garage window and also my house.
"It is ruining the enjoyment of my property as my garden is mostly in shade and the view I bought the house for is now only hedge or sky."
Mr Moir told the council he would have 'no further complaint' if the hedge was cut to 6.5ft.
He added: "Clearly the impact to the west of my property is currently approximately 50 percent of the window light is obstructed.
"The horizon is a metre below the top of the hedge; therefore, I am of the opinion that my living condition is impacted.
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"This is exacerbated in the winter when the light is lower in the horizon and fails to reach above the hedge. This is reflected in my heating and lighting costs."
Mr Duthie said the hedge had been planted as part of a scheme to reintroduce hedgerows in the countryside and could only be trimmed at certain times.
He added: "The hedgerow scheme schedules place limitations on the work that can be done to the hedgerow; such as the time periods between trimming cuts, quantity of hedgerow that can be cut in one season and set dimensions for the cut all to encourage the hedgerow development as a diverse shelter and food supply for a range of animals, birds and insects."
Rejecting the move, the council told Moir the impact of the hedge on his cottage was considered 'minimal' and did not 'adversely affect' his 'reasonable enjoyment' of the property.
They added: "It is not deemed a significant barrier due to the height of the hedge, the size and configuration of the garden, the presence of existing structures within the applicant's garden, and the separation distance between the hedge and the nearest habitable room windows."
A government reporter is expected to issue a decision in due course.
