A homeowner has been told to cut their hedge back after locals complained that the “eyesore” was engulfing the pavement and devaluing homes in their quiet cul-de-sac.

Neighbours have moaned that the towering conifer around a property in Heather Gardens in Belton is dangerous because it is blocking the path, causing pedestrians to walk on the road.

Others claim the untidy hedge has become such an issue that it is affecting local house prices.

A recent Belton Parish Council meeting heard that parishioners sent a letter to the occupant in July asking them to cut the hedge back.

The pavement hidden beneath the hedgeThe pavement hidden beneath the hedge (Image: Bruno Brown) Four months later, and with the hedge still uncut, the parish council has now passed the matter to Norfolk County Council (NCC), which has made the same demand.

A spokesman from NCC said: “We are aware of the current state of the overgrown hedge at this location and, following an inspection, we have been in contact with the landowner, requesting that the overgrowth is trimmed back so that the footpath is maintained for unrestricted use."

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One neighbour, who wished to remain unnamed and has lived in the street for more than 20 years, said: “It is a blatant eyesore.

"My partner and I take pride in keeping our garden neat and tidy, as do the majority of our neighbours. 

“So it is frustrating that nothing has been done to have the hedge neatened up.

“I would even go and do it myself for them to have it sorted but I fear it would cause more harm than good.

"It’s not my place to say or tell someone how to have their garden, but I just don’t like it.”

The homeowner was sent a letter in July from the parish council telling them to cut the hedgeThe homeowner was sent a letter in July from the parish council telling them to cut the hedge (Image: Bruno Brown) Another woman said: “I am really lucky to own my home, I’d saved up for years and this village is where I have always lived.

“But if everyone kept their garden like this the whole area would look so neglected.

“I am hopeful it gets sorted as we have had discussions about our next move.

"If the new buyer were to see this then they might not want to buy my house.”

NCC added that when a hedge is overgrown, action can be taken under the Overhanging Hedge Highways Act 1980 Section 154.

It is a law that gives the highway authority powers to remove or cut back trees, shrubs and hedges that obstruct or endanger highway users.

The postman having to divert into the road as the overgrown hedge is obstructing the pathThe postman having to divert into the road as the overgrown hedge is obstructing the path (Image: Bruno Brown)