Neighbours are locked in a battle with the council to get “dangerous” overgrown trees cut back, after one smashed through a resident’s window.

Residents of Sonora Fields in Sittingbourne say they are worried more will come down in stormy weather, while others fear they could hurt pedestrians.

One homeowner’s mum was struck in the face by a branch as she was walking past.

The trees, with canopies up to 20 metres high, border a pathway but are now so big they are touching some of the homes in Argent Way.

The houses were built in 2002, and the greenery was initially trimmed regularly.

But residents say that changed when the pandemic hit, and they have been neglected for more than two years now.

Resident Emma Tench called on contractors to urgently trim them back.

Her next-door neighbour’s windows were shattered by the trees in high winds and her mum was hit in the face by a branch earlier this year.

The 52-year-old explained: "We’ve been here since the houses were built, and the trees were planted about 18 years ago.

"In that time they have only been attended to about half a dozen times – the last time being two years ago.

"I have sent emails again this year and the council sent people to trim back the trees.

“However, they have not been 'topped' and continue to lean towards the houses, potentially causing damage – one has a smashed window from the trees hitting it.

"My elderly mum was also hit in the face by leaning branches."

Mrs Tench is concerned about the safety of pedestrians.

She added: "The street lighting is blocked making it feel unsafe to walk down the path at night.

"The light into our home is also very restricted, meaning we always have to put the light on in the front rooms.

"It would be so much easier if they took down the first row of trees and chopped off the tops, at least by a couple of metres.

"The roots of the trees are also causing damage to water pipes, as the path has had to be dug up for repairs quite a few times."

Another person suffering from the overgrowth is Antony Lowe.

The 46-year-old says he feels the trees have now become so big they are "potentially dangerous".

He said: "It's terrible as they are huge and so close to our house.

"It has been an issue since a couple of years ago, and the trees are now overgrown into something potentially dangerous during the storm season.

"They are about three metres away from our windows, so I'm worried about them hitting the house if there's a storm.

"I have a three-storey house, and on the top floor especially they're almost touching the windows.

"I have sent an email to Swale council but have had no response yet.

"The roots have already caused cracks on the path and damage to the water pipes underneath, so they're just not appropriate and need at least trimming."

A Swale council spokesman says work is underway to address whether or not to cut the trees.

He said: “We are aware of the tree inquiries in Argent Way, and have pruned and cut out several of the closest trees in the past.

“We will assess the current situation and issue work in accordance with our tree management policy.

“Residents who have contacted the council directly will be responded to accordingly with an update.”

Cllr James Hunt (Con, The Meads), has been trying to help get the trees cut back in recent months.

He says it is "a battle" to get the issue sorted.

"Contractors for the council are only working one day a week, and there's no extra budget for that at the moment," he explained.

"I'm urging residents to complain. That way it will hopefully become an area of priority for the council to address".