Complain about a high hedge

What you can complain about

• The hedge must be made up of a line of two or more trees.
• The hedge must be predominantly evergreen (it must keep its leaves all year round).
• The hedge must be at least 2m in height.

When you can complain

You can only complain if you have tried to negotiate with your neighbour.

Government guidance

How to settle your hedge differences without involving the local authority: Over the garden hedge

What complaints local authorities can consider and how they will deal with them: High hedges: complaining to the council

Grounds of complaint checklist

Please read the checklist to decide whether you have a valid complaint, as any vexatious or frivolous complaints that are made in bad faith, with the sole purpose of harassing a person, will not be considered by the Council. Invalid complaints are complaints that do not meet the requirements set out in the legislation.

1. The hedge (or portion of a hedge) that is causing problems must be made up of a line of 2 or more trees or shrubs.
2. The hedge must be mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen.
3. The hedge must be at a height that is 2 metres above ground level.
4. Even though there may be gaps in the foliage and in between the trees the hedge must still be capable of obstructing light.
5. The hedge must be on land owned by someone other than the person making a complaint.
6. The person making the complaint must be the owner or occupier of the property affected by the hedge.
7. The property affected by the hedge must be evidential.
8. Evidence of negotiation must be provided.
9. The complaint must not be frivolous or vexatious.

Cost

The cost is £150