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 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.

When you can trim trees or hedges

You can trim branches or roots that cross into your property from a neighbour’s property or a public road up to the property boundary. If you do more than this, your neighbour could take you to court for damaging their property. We advise that you seek professional guidance before trimming trees.

If your property borders a road

The highways authority can ask you to cut back hedges or trees on your property if they’re causing an obstruction in the road. If you refuse, they can issue an enforcement notice or go into your property without your permission to do the work themselves. You may be charged for this.

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
• evergreen or semi-evergreen during the winter
• more than 2 metres above ground level
  
• capable of obstructing light or views

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 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
• 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

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 can also require your neighbour to keep the hedge trimmed to its agreed size.

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.

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.