Hedges (High Hedges)
Summary
Since the 1st June 2005, local authorities have the power to deal with complaints about high hedges, under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
A complaint can be made in writing to the local authority only when all avenues for resolving the hedge dispute have been exhausted between the complainant and the hedge owner.
Guidance notes on the action you need to take before complaining to the council are detailed in the booklet High Hedges: Complaining to the Council, available from the right hand downloads menu.
The role of the local authority is to adjudicate on whether – in the words of the Act – the hedge is adversely affecting the complainants’ reasonable enjoyment of their property.
Further Information
See our main High Hedges page for advice and guidance on submitting a high hedges complaint.