High hedges

High Hedge Complaints

From 1 June 2005, provided they have tried and exhausted all other avenues for resolving their hedge dispute, people have been able to take their complaint about a neighbour's evergreen hedge to their local authority. The role of the local authority is not to mediate or negotiate between the complainant and the hedge owner but to adjudicate on whether - in the words of the Act - the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their property.

If you wish to complain about a high hedge complete the Online planning enforcement enquiry form

A fee is payable to the Authority to investigate a High Hedge Complaint.

You may find the following links useful on the Communities and Local Government web site if you want to find out more about making a High Hedges complaint:

• Over the Garden Hedge (a leaflet on how to settle your hedge differences without involving the local authority)
• High Hedges: complaining to the Council
• High Hedges Complaints: Prevention and Cure
• High Hedges: appealing against the Council's decision
• Hedge Height and Light Loss