tent> High hedges given the chop
Changes to the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will give local authorities the power to intervene in high hedge disputes that neighbours are unable to resolve.
Under the new legislation local authorities could issue formal notices instructing the reduction of a hedge’s height and its long-term maintenance. Failure to comply with a formal notice could result in a fine of up to £1000.
Existing legislation does little to prevent the problems high hedges cause. Although they entitle people to cut overhanging branches back to the property boundary line, they do nothing about hedge height.
Under the new proposals a complaint could be submitted if:
- the hedge in question comprised wholly or predominantly of a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs;
- it was over 2 metres high;
- the hedge acted to some degree as a barrier to light or access; and
- if it was adversely affecting the complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of their home or garden because of its height.
Yvette Cooper, Minister for Regeneration at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said that high hedges can block out the light from neighbours’ homes and gardens and make their lives a real misery.
“This is anti-social behaviour, just as much as graffiti and noisy neighbours, and it isn’t fair on those who have to suffer as a result,” she said.
“That is why we want to take action through the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill so that local authorities will have the power to sort out high hedge disputes and where necessary to chop those hedges back.”
The Report Stage of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill is on 23 October 2003.
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