There may be issues arising under the following three headings -
- health and safety
- fire safety issue
- property damage
If the land was previously only wide enough to walk down while being passed by a vehicle, the trees might cause additional hazard by forcing pedestrians to walk around them and out in front of vehicles. This would affect the lane owner and users relating to him.
If the land previously afforded access to emergency vehicles, particularly fire tenders, and the trees now prevent this, there could be a serious issue in relation to fire safety arising. This again would affect the lane owner and users relating to him more than other people.
If your site is bounded by a wall now and/or your house directly abuts the lane or is only separated from it by a short distance, or your drains pass out into the lane or lie near it, the growth of tree roots towards your property could adversely affect the foundations of your garden wall or your house or could disrupt your services as the case may be. If your property is bounded by a fence now, the planting of trees now may affect your ability to erect a wall at a later date due to root growth. If you cut the roots the trees may die raising a possibly claim against you. Alternatively they may become unstable and falle, either damaging your property, putting you at risk of harm, or blocking the lane. This mainly affects your property.
All the above issues may provide topics for discussion at a meeting between you and the lane owner.
Property owners can cut down mature trees without permission if within a certai ndistance of their house.
I would play the "risk" card with the lane owner and say you will discuss it with the Local Authority and a solicitor.
ONQ.
All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.