HIGH hedges are causing heated rows among Huddersfield neighbours.

And the owners of the offending hedges can be fined £1,000 if they do not take action.

Three disputes about overgrown borders will go before Kirklees Council's planning and highways committee next Monday.

Councils can order householders to trim their hedges under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act if an investigation proves that they stop light or access to nearby properties.

Kirklees Council used its powers for the first time last October.

The three latest cases in question are at Edgerton, Marsden and Fenay Bridge.

Phyllis Pownall, of Talbot Avenue, Edgerton, claims the leylandii hedge belonging to her neighbours Robert and Margaret Farmer is blocking light to her utility room.

However, council officers say the 4.5m high hedge is lower than the maximum height allowed.

They say that only complaints about loss of light in main rooms are valid - and the utility room is not considered a main room.

Mrs Pownall also says the hedge is blocking light from her greenhouse - leaving her unable to grow certain plants.

Officers say that the Act is designed to protect whole gardens and individual features cannot be singled out.

They say the hedge is not stopping Mrs Pownall enjoying her property and recommend that the committee takes no action against Mr and Mrs Farmer.

At Marsden, a dispute is raging between Dirker Drive hedge owner Carol Childs and her Dirker Bank Road neighbour Stuart Leach.

Mr Leach says the leylandii hedge is stopping light getting to his property.

Officers say the hedge is 0.5m higher than it should be and is having an adverse effect on Mr Leach's property.

They have recommended that the committee issues a remedial notice, asking Mrs Childs to cut the hedge to 5.3m and to let it grow no higher than 6.3m.

A feud is under way at Fenay Bridge over a high leylandii hedge belonging to the Gray family at Rowley Lane.

Their neighbour, Ghavam Nobakht, claims the hedge is blocking light from his garden.

Officers say the hedge is 0.5m higher than it should be. They are recommending that the committee serves the Grays with a remedial notice, ordering them to cut the hedge to 7.5m.