Bradford Council says it has no obligation to cut down its trees if they block light to neighbouring houses.

After almost two years of complaints, the local authority agreed on Tuesday to chop down a tree on authority-owned land in Haworth.

Residents of Ann Street have complained about the cherry tree, which towers over their houses, claiming it blocks out light and has grown to a point where it has damaged a nearby wall.

The council has agreed to fell it, but says it is because of the damage to the wall and not the light issue.

Christine Bates, who has lived in the road for 34 years, said the council has done little to tame the tree.

She fears the roots may be damaging her and her neighbours’ homes, and contacted ward councillor Glen Miller, who says it was only by him pestering the council that anything got done.

Christine added: “It has started to damage a wall and it is a danger, especially in winter when the leaves fall off.

“It blocks the light and makes things so dark it is unbelievable. It has got out of control.”

Coun Miller said: “It has taken the council about five visits here to finally decide to cut it down.

“They’ll have one person come up here, make a decision, then they question that decision and send another person down. How much officer time has been wasted on something relatively simple? I first got in touch with them two years ago. It beggars belief how much time it has taken.”

Bob Thorp, trees and woodlands manager with the council, said: “The council will remove trees where there is a risk to people, property or highway users. We have visited the resident a couple of times and have agreed to remove the tree as it is damaging the boundary wall. We will also repair the wall. The council is not under any legal obligation to remove trees that restrict light.”