High hedges - neighbour disputes

Advice on how to solve neighbour disputes about hedges, how to make a formal complaint and when you can trim neighbouring trees or hedges.

Hedges can provide screening for both privacy and security, and are an important habitat for wildlife. However, they can cause problems, especially if neglected or allowed to grow unchecked.

The government has introduced legislation in order to tackle the problems they can cause.

Making a complaint to the council

In order for us to consider your complaint, the hedge must be:

  • made up of a line of two or more bushes or trees running along the boundary in question (individual trees are not covered by the legislation)
  • evergreen or semi-evergreen during the winter (evergreens retain their leaves throughout the year, and semi-evergreens usually consist of privet depending on its location.  Beech, hornbeam and hawthorn are not evergreen or semi-evergreen and therefore not included in this legislation)
  • more than 2 metres above ground level

You must try to settle a dispute about a hedge informally before we can intervene. Keep a record of the steps you have taken as evidence to support your complaint – for example, copies of letters or a diary to record any meetings or conversations.

Before you contact us, you must attempt to:

  1. Speak to your neighbour about your concerns - sit down with them so that you can get a better understanding of each other’s concerns and try to figure out the answer
  2. If your neighbour won’t talk to you or you are nervous about speaking to them, send a polite letter. It won’t be enough to say your neighbour is not approachable. Find more advice about solving neighbour disputes on GOV.UK
  3. If all reasonable attempts to resolve the issue have failed, you can apply to us to make a formal complaint

Our tree officers can only provide a decision based solely on the hedge itself so we will not take into account:

  • information of a personal nature
  • any personal grievances, disagreements or neighbour disputes

We will only consider factual information relating to the hedge (species, height, position, orientation) and how the hedge impacts directly on amenity.

We will not engage in mediation between neighbours and will carry out one unaccompanied site visit only before issuing a decision.  Entry to the affected area must be provided for that site visit or the application will be determined based on a desk exercise.

How to apply to make a complaint

You must send a copy of your complaint application to the owner of the hedge, otherwise we will have to forward on any submission you make. Do not include any confidential or sensitive information in the complaint application, or any information you do not wish to have shared as all correspondence has to be passed to all interested parties as detailed on the complaint form.

You must provide the following information with your complaint application:

  • your name, address and contact details
  • the name and address of the person who owns the property where the hedge is located
  • a photograph of the hedge
  • a plan or sketch of both the site where the hedge is growing and the property it is affecting, with the hedge clearly marked on it, with house numbers and street names included
  • copies of correspondence with your neighbour and any other evidence you wish to include

Submitting a formal complaint costs £330. You may be eligible for a reduced fee if you are a benefit claimant – see the application form for a full list of those who are eligible.

Contact us

Email

landscape.planning@leeds.gov.uk

What happens next

If we decide action is necessary, we will issue a formal notice to your neighbour which explains what they must do to the hedge and when they must do it by. It will also require your neighbour to keep the hedge trimmed to its agreed size. The notice will last for the lifetime of the hedge unless legally revoked. The notice relates to the land and transfers upon change of ownership.

Failure to carry out the works is an offence – if the orders in the notice aren’t followed, the person could be prosecuted and may face a fine of up to £1000. In addition, the council can enter the land, carry out the work and seek to recover costs.

Appeal a decision we have made about a hedge

If you disagree with our decision, you can appeal to the independent Planning Inspectorate. They must receive your appeal within 28 days of the date of the decision letter.

If you are experiencing threatening, harmful or intimidating behaviour, you should contact the police. If you’re experiencing antisocial behaviour, find out how to report it and what action we will take.