An Aberdeen pensioner has called on council chiefs to trim a “disgraceful” tree blocking windows of a block of flats.
Angry John Irvine said he has complained six times to the local authority over the 30ft high tree but has been told “nothing can be done”.
The 76-year-old, who has lived in Woodside since 1981, said he has “watched in horror” as the plant grew and grew.
It now covers the windows on the upper floors of the three-storey block at 740 Great Northern Road.
As a result he has called on council chiefs to sort the problem before the tree outgrows the neighbouring building.
Mr Irvine said: “I’ve lived here 34 years, the tree has been there for at least 20 so I have seen it grow.
“I never imagined it would get to this size. It’s almost the size of the block itself now.
“I’ve phoned at least seven times now. The last time I phoned on July 4 and I asked if they could do anything and they just said “no”.
“I’ve not been given a real reason and I know that a lot of the other residents have also complained about it.
“When I moved in I used to be able to see for miles across the Don into Bridge of Don but all the trees have since come up.
“It’s not bad until they’re right next to your house.
“It’s a total disgrace.”
Another resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I haven’t been able to see out my window properly for years now.
“It’s only going to get worse and worse so the council really need to do something.
“It’s affecting the light in the whole building.”
But last night the council’s infrastructure convener Neil Cooney insisted the authority took complaints seriously and that Mr Irvine’s gripe would be addressed.
He said: “The council are very reluctant to trim trees unnecessarily.
“The position is that if they are touching the property or the roof then they will be trimmed but it’s a very light touch approach otherwise.
“I would advise the gentleman to contact Richard Nicholson at the arboricultural office.”
