High hedges

If your neighbour's hedges are causing concern, we first advise you to talk to your neighbour as they may be unaware that it is causing you a problem. Consider the problems you are having so that you can approach your neighbour calmly. Sometimes taking a few photos can help them appreciate your concerns.

If you have exhausted all other avenues for resolving your hedge dispute you can take your complaint about a neighbour's hedge to us. The law relates only to hedges that are composed mainly of evergreen trees. Often these are conifer hedges.

Our role is not to mediate or negotiate between you and your neighbour but to act as a neutral third party on whether the hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of your property. We must strike a balance between the competing interests of you and the hedge owner, as well as those of the wider community.

Further information relating to high hedges can be found on the gov.uk website (opens new window).

Make a high hedges complaint

• The complaint will either be dismissed or a formal notice will be issued to the hedge owner that sets out what they are required to do to fix the problem.
• In most cases this would amount to a reduction in height of no less than two metres (6ft 6ins).
• The notice would also set a time limit by when the work should be carried out and a requirement that the maximum height is maintained.
• Failure to carry out the works is an offence which, on conviction, could lead to a fine of up to £1000.
• In addition, a daily fine can be imposed for continued failure to carry out the work following prosecution.
• We can carry out the work and recover its costs if the owner fails to do so.

Please note we do not accept cash or cheques with your application and no refund will be given once the process has started.

You can provide photographs with your application however one of our officers will visit the site. Once we have validated your application, we will send a copy of the form to the owner of the hedge in question once we have removed any sensitive or personal information. The owner will be given the opportunity to provide further information at this stage. A Case Officer will arrange to visit the site to assess the hedge. Once an assessment has been made both the applicant and owner of the hedge will be informed of the outcome.