High Hedges

The Council has powers under Part 8 of the |Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 to deal with complaints about high hedges. The legislation enables the owner or occupier of a domestic property affected by a high hedge to make a complaint to the Council provided that:

• the hedge concerned is a line of two or more predominantly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs
• the hedge is 2 metres or more in height
• the hedge is forming a barrier to light or access to their home or garden
• attempts have been made to amicably resolve the problem with the owner of the hedge

The Council's role is not to mediate or negotiate between the complainant and the hedge owner, but to adjudicate on whether the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of his property. If the circumstances justify it, the Council will issue a remedial notice to the hedge owner setting out what the hedge owner must do to remedy the problem and by what date. The notice may specify future work on the hedge to ensure that it is maintained at a reasonable height. The Act allows for an appeal to the Secretary of State against the issue or withdrawal of a remedial notice.

The Council has decided to charge a non-returnable fee of £550 for this service, payable on submission of a complaint. There will be no further fee for any subsequent appeal.

Complaints forms, guidance notes and an explanatory leaflet may be obtained from the Town Planning Reception at the Civic Centre or downloaded by selecting the links below :

• |High Hedges : Complaining to the Council
• |High Hedges : Complaint Form
• |High Hedges : Guidance Notes to Application Form

The following information and guidance is also available on the |Department for Communities and Local Government website:

• An Overview On High Hedges
• Hedge Height and Light Loss
• Over the Garden Hedge
• The Right Hedge for You : A Guide to Choosing a Garden Hedge

For further information please |contact Town Planning