A Cross Inn resident whose property borders a “huge” Leylandii boundary hedge says it is like “living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall”.

Phil Martlew, of Clos Pendre, Cross Inn, near New Quay, lives alongside the Village Caravan Park, which is shielded from the view of nearby homeowners by a large hedge.

But Mr Martlew, 61, says the hedge has grown to such proportions it has spilled over onto several feet of his drive, invaded the roof of his home and effectively “swallowed up” a nearby streetlight.

“It’s like living beneath the Berlin Wall,” he told the Cambrian News.

And he claims his pleas to the caravan park owners to trim the hedge or remove it have fallen on deaf ears.

“I’m planning to cut the hedge down and send them the bill,” said an angry Mr Martlew. “My solicitor tells me I’m quite within my rights to do that.

Thomas Scarrott, a director of Vale Holiday Park which owns Village Caravan Park, said the company had repeatedly tried to find a solution to the issue.

“We don’t wish to cut trees down unnecessarily as we take our environmental duties very seriously,” he added. “We sought guidance from the county council who advised us not to cut them down.

“We never like to get into disputes with our neighbours, but in this particular case the easiest solution would surely be for this gentleman to trim the branches on his side of the property.”

A Ceredigion council spokesman said: “We have investigated the matter and have taken appropriate enforcement action to make sure that the hedge will not encroach on the road. We are aware of the situation and will be responding to Mr Martlew regarding the matter.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now