LEM Dunkley and his neighbours along the Christchurch-Symonds Yat road are upset by monster "snowdrifts" of larch needles invading their homes and blocking gutters.

"It is getting so bad I am actually thinking of packing up and moving out," said Lem, whose roadside cottage is opposite part of the large stand of mature Japanese larch which stretches down most of the road.

Windows and doors have to be kept firmly closed but even so huge amounts of the intrusive needlers are trodden in every time anyone calls. His gutters are jammed with the matted orange litter and he has a huge daily task of sweeping up his path and yard with a heavy bristle broom.

"I am not getting any younger and I can't manage to get up a ladder to clear the gutters," said Mr Dunkley, an ex-mine engineer now approaching his 80th birthday.

He has complained in the past only to be told by the Forestry Commission the trees near his home will not be felled for some years – even though they appear to be past their prime.

"Also, they have clear-felled near one of the houses down the lane. Why them and not me? They've sold lots of timber in the past few years too, including larch," he said.

A letter from Forest Enterprise's Rob Guest a year ago apologised for the fact that he was "experiencing the downside of the joys and privilege of living in woodland", and Mr Dunkley commented "It doesn't seem much of a privilege to me".

Further down the road Elma Tippins said she too suffered from the needles, and she was fortunate her son called regularly to help her clear up.

"You should see it when it is bad down here. It is just like a snowstorm," she said.

"But I was told it would be seven years before they chop the trees down."

However Forest Enterprise told the Review the Forest Design Plan for the area has just gone through its consultation stage and the larch would be felled within five years – the exact date is not known yet.

"Larch have, with the beech, oak and chestnut contributed to the stunning autumn colours in the Forest over the past few weeks," said a spokesperson.

"I hope that the people of Hillersland will appreciate that the larch about which they are concerned are catered for within the design plan and that they are due to come down within the next couple of years. That stretch of woodland will then return to broadleaves.