NEIGHBOURS of disgraced former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Fred Goodwin are planning to use new legislation to force his estranged wife to prune a 25ft high hedge in the back garden of his home.
Residents of the property in the affluent Edinburgh suburb of Laverockdale Park, where Joyce Goodwin lives after their separation, plan to contact the local council after they were given new powers to tackle disputes involving trees taller than 6ft 6in after the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill was passed last month.
They have been locked in a three-year battle with the former banker, who quit RBS after it was bailed out by the UK Government at the height of the financial crisis in 2008.
Mr Goodwin's neighbours can apply to City of Edinburgh Council for a high hedge notice if they have been unable to reach agreement following negotiations.
He may be forced to prune it at his own expense, and if they refuse, the council can carry out the pruning at a cost of up to £500 to the owner who can also appeal the decision.
Local residents claim the hedge around his six-bedroom house, which he bought in June 2011, cuts out the light needed for some of their plants to grow.
Gavin Hamilton, 49, a marketing manager, said he hoped the bill would force Mr Goodwin into action. He said: "I think it's a good idea to restrict hedges that grow too far. That hedge in particular is just oppressive and forces the light away from the houses."
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Six foot probably isn't high enough for privacy, but it doesn't have to be 17ft either.
"I think 7ft or 8ft would be enough to give privacy, and fair to both sides."
Rozalia Nicolson, 63, also from Laverockdale Park, said: "I think 10ft or 12ft would be fair."
Another resident added: "Although it is not directly beside my house, I know those houses directly affected have been campaigning for a while to get the hedge cut shorter.
"I don't think it's fair for people to have hedges that can affect others properties.
"Hopefully the new rules will mean it can be less of a problem in future for everyone. I think it would be good if both parties could reach a compromise."
A small group of residents went to the Scottish Parliament to watch the bill being passed.
Mr Goodwin bought the mansion in June 2011 after his current house, in The Grange area of Edinburgh, was targeted by vandals.
Neighbours say that despite Mrs Goodwin's recent efforts to chop 8ft off the hedge, it is still unacceptably high.
The property has large entry gates and a state-of-the-art security system as well as the tall trees for shade.
Inside the grounds there is a tennis court, Japanese garden and a circular fountain in the driveway.
No-one was available for comment at the house.
This week, RBS shareholders formally launched a lawsuit against Mr Goodwin and other executives, which could be worth £4 billion.
The RBOS Shareholder Action Group claims the directors misled investors, missed out vital information and mis- represented RBS's underlying strength during the lender's rights issue shortly before the state intervention.
Claire McKim
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