You can contact us where a high hedge is a problem and owners have shown themselves to be reluctant to deal with them - this should be a 'last resort'.
Details
The problems of high hedges has been included in the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003. Government has defined a hedge for the purposes of this Act as a line of 2 or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs which:
- is over 2 metres in height;
- acts as a barrier to light or access;
- because of its height spoils the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their domestic property.
We will have to decide whether the height of the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their property. If it is, then we will have to decide what action may be necessary. We may be able to issue a "remedial notice", which will set out how far a hedge needs to be reduced and the height at which it should be maintained. The owner and complainant would have the right to appeal within 28 days. Failure to comply with a "remedial notice" would be an offence with a maximum fine of £1,000 in the Magistrates' Court, and the court could issue an order for compliance within a specified time. Failure to comply would be a further offence, again with a £1,000 fine and a daily fine for every day the work has not been done. We cannot order the complete removal of a hedge or work which would destroy the hedge. Owners would be free to carry out more work than required by a notice. Further information is available from the Department of Communities and Local Government website.
Cost
We will charge a fee to investigate a complaint and this has been set at £500.
Once your form and documents have been received and your case has been validated we will send you a link to submit payment.