High hedges

If you are the owner or occupier of a home affected by a high hedge, you can make a complaint to us if all the following apply:

• the hedge consists of two or more predominantly evergreen trees or shrubs
• the hedge is forming a barrier to light or access to your home or garden
• attempts have been made to amicably resolve the problem with the owner of the hedge
• the hedge is 2m or more in height

Before making a complaint

Before you submit a formal complaint, we strongly advise that you read all the government guidance and calculate the required hedge height: 

• GOV.UK: Over the garden hedge - provides guidance and advice on settling differences regarding hedges without involving the local authority
• GOV.UK: Hedge height and light loss - helps you assess whether an evergreen hedge is blocking too much daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties
• GOV.UK: High hedges: Complaining to the council - guidance on what complaints local authorities can consider and how they will deal with them

How to make a complaint

Complete the form:

Charges

We charge a non-refundable fee of £550 for this service, which needs to be paid when the complaint is submitted. There will be no further fee for any subsequent appeal.

What we do

Our role is to judge whether the hedge is preventing you from enjoying your property. We don’t mediate or negotiate between you and the hedge owner.  

If the hedge is preventing you from enjoying your property, we will issue a remedial notice to the owner of the hedge.  The notice will set out the action they must take to remedy the problem and the date when they must comply. The notice may specify future work on the hedge to ensure that it is maintained at a reasonable height.

The hedge owner has the right to appeal to the Secretary of State against the notice.