Understanding UK Hedge Height Regulations & Disputes

Disagreements over hedge height are a frequent cause of friction between neighbours in the UK. Overgrown hedges can block light, spoil views, and even impact property values. Knowing the laws around hedge height is crucial for both those who own hedges and those affected by them.

Understanding the High Hedges Act

The High Hedges Act (Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003) was introduced in England and Wales in June 2005 to tackle issues caused by tall hedges that affect neighbouring properties.

This law sets out a process for resolving hedge height disputes when neighbours can’t agree. Local councils have the authority to decide if a hedge is a problem and, if needed, can order the owner to cut it down to a reasonable height.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own versions of the law, with some differences in how rules are applied, but the principle is the same: to help resolve hedge disputes fairly.

What Counts as a High Hedge?

By law, a "high hedge" means:

• A line of two or more trees or shrubs
• Mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen (retaining leaves in winter)
• More than 2 meters tall
• Capable of obstructing light or views

The Act doesn’t cover single trees—no matter how tall—or deciduous hedges that lose their leaves in winter. It’s all about evergreen or semi-evergreen hedges that form a screen.

Typical hedges affected include Leylandii, Thuja, and other conifers, plus evergreen shrubs like laurel and holly if planted as a row.

A typical evergreen hedge that might be subject to height regulations if it exceeds 2 meters and affects neighboring properties.

How to Make a Complaint

If you're affected by a neighbor's high hedge, the process for making a formal complaint is as follows:

Step 1: Talk It Out First

Before involving the council, you must show you’ve made a real effort to sort things out with your neighbour. This could mean:

• Speaking directly with your neighbor about your concerns
• Writing a formal letter explaining the problem
• Suggesting mediation through a third party
• Proposing a compromise on hedge height

Keep records of all communication attempts, as you'll need to demonstrate these efforts if you proceed to a formal complaint.

Step 2: Contact the Council

If informal resolution attempts fail, you can submit a formal complaint to your local authority. This typically involves:

• Completing an application form
• Paying a fee (typically between £300 and £450, though this varies by council)
• Providing evidence of the problem (photos, light measurements, etc.)
• Documenting your attempts to resolve the issue

The local authority will notify the hedge owner about the complaint and invite them to submit their comments.

Step 3: Council Assessment

The local authority will assess whether the hedge is:

• Covered by the legislation
• Adversely affecting your reasonable enjoyment of your property
• Unreasonably tall given all the circumstances

They may visit both properties to make their assessment and will consider factors such as:

• The hedge's impact on light to your home and garden
• The hedge's size, species, and condition
• The layout and orientation of both properties
• Any benefits the hedge provides (such as privacy or wildlife habitat)

Council Notices & Enforcement

If the local authority determines that the hedge is adversely affecting your property and that action should be taken, they will issue a "remedial notice" to the hedge owner. This notice:

• Specifies what action must be taken (usually reducing the hedge to a certain height)
• Sets a deadline for the work to be completed
• May include ongoing maintenance requirements
• Remains attached to the property, even if ownership changes

If the hedge owner fails to comply with the remedial notice, they may be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000. The local authority also has the power to enter the property, carry out the required work, and recover the costs from the hedge owner.

How to Appeal a Decision

Both the complainant and the hedge owner have the right to appeal against the local authority's decision. Appeals must be made within 28 days of the decision and are handled by:

• The Planning Inspectorate in England and Wales
• The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals in Scotland
• The Planning Appeals Commission in Northern Ireland

Grounds for appeal might include:

• Disagreement with the height specified in the remedial notice
• Belief that the hedge is not causing the problems claimed
• Concerns about the impact of reducing the hedge (e.g., on wildlife or privacy)
• Procedural errors in how the complaint was handled

The appeal body will review the case and may uphold, modify, or overturn the local authority's decision. Their decision is final, though it may be challenged through judicial review in exceptional circumstances.

How to Avoid Hedge Disputes

The easiest way to deal with hedge arguments is to avoid them in the first place. If you’re thinking of planting a hedge, keep these tips in mind:

• Choosing appropriate species that won't grow excessively tall
• Discussing your plans with neighbors before planting
• Setting up a maintenance agreement with neighbors for boundary hedges
• Keeping hedges at a reasonable height through regular maintenance

If your hedge is already a potential problem:

• Be open to discussing concerns raised by neighbors
• Consider the impact your hedge might have on others
• Maintain your hedge regularly to prevent it becoming overgrown
• Consider replacing very tall, fast-growing species with more manageable alternatives

When to Get Professional Advice

Hedge professionals can help with tricky disputes by:

• Offering impartial assessments of hedge height and impact
• Providing expert testimony for formal complaints
• Safely reducing tall hedges to compliant heights
• Advising on suitable replacement species
• Establishing regular maintenance schedules

Hedge Cutting Cheshire has years of experience resolving hedge height issues. We offer practical solutions and expert guidance on the High Hedges Act for both hedge owners and neighbours.

Conclusion

The UK's hedge height regulations provide a framework for resolving disputes when neighbors cannot reach an agreement themselves. Understanding these regulations can help both hedge owners and affected neighbors navigate potential conflicts and find reasonable solutions.

While the legal process exists as a last resort, the best approach is always to maintain open communication with neighbors and to consider the impact your hedge might have on others. Regular maintenance and thoughtful species selection can prevent most hedge-related disputes before they arise.

If you're dealing with a hedge height issue, whether as an owner or affected neighbor, seeking professional advice early can often lead to practical solutions that avoid the need for formal complaints and preserve neighborly relations.