High hedges
The right hedge can be an ideal garden boundary but the wrong hedge can bring problems for you and your neighbours.
Under Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 the Council has powers to control the height of certain hedges.
To qualify under this legislation, the hedge must be a line of 2 or more trees or shrubs of an evergreen or semi-evergreen species.
It is only the height over two metres that can be controlled in relation to the obstruction of light or views to residential property. The new legislation does not cover damage to property by roots etc, this remains a civil matter.
The emphasis is firmly on neighbours trying to resolve the dispute without having to make a formal complaint to the Council, which is seen as the last resort.
There is a fee that the Council charge to process and deal with a complaint and this is currently £630 (as of April 1, 2024)
Information on how to approach a hedge dispute and how to complain to the Council can be found in the following pdf documents: