A dispute over responsibility for an overgrown patch of land in Overtoun, Dumbarton, has left residents frustrated. The grass near Fraser Avenue has grown up to three feet high in places after regular cutting stopped over the last few years.
Residents raise health concerns
Local resident Tommy Graham, who has lived on Fraser Avenue for 40 years, said the grass was always cut during summer until about four or five years ago, when cutting was reduced to just the edges. Over the last two years, cutting stopped entirely. Graham and other residents have written to MSP Jackie Baillie and local councillors, leading to a meeting at the Abbotsford Hotel where they were told the Overtoun Estate was responsible.
Graham said: “They haven’t put forward a single scrap of evidence over the claim the estate has that land and for the time I’ve been here the grass has always been done by the local authority and not anyone from outside.” He noted that about 100 houses are in the area, though not all are affected, and some residents have had to cut the grass themselves.
Estate tenant denies responsibility
Bob Hill, tenant of Overtoun House estate for over 20 years, confirmed the estate had never taken responsibility for that land. However, he said he would be willing to discuss a management agreement with West Dunbartonshire Council to cut the area. Hill said: “We have always had our responsibilities and cut as far as the gate on Campbell Avenue… That patch of land isn’t one we’ve seen before.”
Despite Hill’s denial, a West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “As this is privately-owned land, the council does not have any responsibility for maintaining.” A spokeswoman for MSP Jackie Baillie added: “There is doubt as to whether the area of ground may be privately owned rather than the council’s legal responsibility, but it is disappointing that, because of a lack of money from the Scottish Government, the council has had to reduce grass cutting.” She said she is checking whether the land is part of the Overtoun estate.
