An investigation into neighbour disputes and how they are dealt with has been welcomed, with councillors describing the subject as “a really big issue.”

The review was approved by elected members at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council's audit, risk and scrutiny board, which will report its findings in September.

It aims to establish the scale and nature of disputes in the area, set out current approaches the council and other stakeholders have for tackling them, examine actions available to resolve them and identify any further measures that could be used within existing resources.

For the purposes of the review, a dispute will be defined as a “disagreement that causes stress or friction.”

Councillor Andy Doig, board convener, told the meeting: “Neighbour disputes are, I would say, one of the most common issues that local councillors deal with.”

Common causes of issues between neighbours relate to noise, access, shared amenities and facilities, boundaries, trees and high hedges, pets and the use of domestic CCTV cameras.

The review will look at 'low level' disputes, as well as those that need to be considered with reference to anti-social behaviour legislation.

Andrew Noble, lead officer for the review, will research evidence on the severity of neighbour disputes and different levels of intervention available to resolve them, the role of the council and other partners and the tools they have at their disposal and examples of best practice from other local authority areas.

Evidence will also be sought from the council’s housing and community safety services, registered social landlords, Police Scotland, the Citizens Advice Bureau and tenants and residents associations.

Councillor Doig added: “It is a really big issue out there. I know, a few years ago, the council did look at their anti-social policies in general.

“In terms of how Renfrewshire Council liaises with other bodies, we’re quite well ahead of the pack in terms of Scottish local authorities. We were commended for the procedures.

“What we need to do now is look at practical ways we can really deal with this on the ground to support the people affected.”