High Hedges

High hedges can provide screening and privacy, and shelter from wind and rain. But they can also restrict views and light, and sometimes they can be neglected, or become unnecessarily high. So there are often disputes between neighbours about them. Leylandii are usually the subject but any case of 2 or more evergreen trees more than 2 metres high would count

When that happens, the Council can deal with it, and they then have to weigh up whether the height of the hedge reasonably affects enjoyment of land, looking at both sides of the issue, the hedge’s amenity and the neighbourhood in general. The outcome is not usually certain, but remedial notices and potentially prosecutions are possible. Councils however don’t deal with it as a priority and they are entitled to charge the maximum fee they can, currently £928. 

And importantly they can reject a complaint if they think that not enough effort has been made to resolve it amicably before turning to them 

One thing they often require is to at least attempt mediation 

I can act impartially and attempt to engage both parties, to see if an agreement can be reached to avoid the Council’s fee and delay and an unavoidable conflict. If other issues arise other than the height of the hedge, then I can look at those too. If mediation is offered but not taken up, or if it fails, then the Council can be told that you’ve done all you can, and their processes can go forward

Here are 2 options if you find yourself in that position: 

1. Contact your neighbour yourself to say that you would like to try to mediate it and that you would propose to appoint me

2. Ask me to write to your neighbour to make the invitation directly and introduce myself

If you want to look into this in further detail and see where I might be able to step in, see these resources: 

The ‘Over the Garden Hedge’ guidance is a good starting point

The detailed guidance is here for a more detailed look

For a really deep dive, see the legislation contained in Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003

Give me a ring or email if you want to discuss this in more detail