High Hedges

Part 8 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 allows residents to seek the intervention of the Council when they have been unable to resolve a problem with a neighbour's hedge.

For the legislation to apply the hedge must comprise 2 or more trees/shrubs, be more than 2m tall, be mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen and be capable of obstructing light or views.

If it is decided that a hedge adversely affects the reasonable enjoyment of the neighbour's home and garden, the Council can issue a remedial notice to the owner of the hedge setting out what must be done to reduce the height of the hedge, the timescale for doing the work and what is required to prevent the problem happening again.

The leaflet High Hedges: Complaining to the council provides further information.

High Hedges Complaint Form

High Hedges complaint - guidance notes