High hedges
High hedges complaints
The Government introduced legislation in 2005 (under Part 8 of
the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003) to tackle the problems caused
by ‘high hedges.’ We have power to exercise control over high
hedges by investigating complaints. You can come to us with
your complaint about a neighbours’ evergreen hedge if you have
tried all other ways of agreeing a solution.
Our role is not to mediate but to adjudicate on whether – in the
words of the Act – the hedge is adversely affecting the
complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of their property.
To lodge a complaint under this legislation:
- Complete the form – available from the service
reception or download below.
- Submit the supporting information as set out in the guidance
notes.
- Submit a plan of the area of the dispute to a scale of
1:1250.
- Pay a fee of £400 (cheque payable to R.M.B.C.)
- Send this to the Development Control Service.
High Hedges
Complaint Form (119kb pdf)
If we consider the circumstances justify it, we can issue a
remedial notice which sets out what must be done to remedy the
problem and prevent it from recurring, and a timescale for
compliance.
Failure to carry out the works required is an offence which
could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
A summary of our procedure for handling high hedge
disputes is below.
High
hedges procedure and legislation (58kb pdf)
Removal of Hedgerows in the Countryside
The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 aim to protect
important hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal
through a system of notification. We have 42 days from
the time we get a request to give or refuse
consent. If we do not respond in time then consent is granted
by default.
If you have been refused consent to remove a hedgerow,
you have a right of appeal. Removal of a hedgerow in
contravention of the Regulations is a criminal offence punishable
by the Courts.
Application for hedgerow removal notice (247kb pdf).
Help notes - application for hedgerow removal notice (25kb
pdf).
Guidance note - application for hedgerow removal notice (27kb
pdf)