High Hedges

Hedges can add a lot to a property and can be a haven for wildlife, however high hedges could cause a problem for your neighbour.

Legislation

The High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Criteria for complaints under the legislation

The hedge or the portion that is causing problems must be:

• made up of a line of two or more trees or shrubs?
• mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen
• more than two metres above ground level
• obstructing light

We cannot investigate complaints about:

• a single tree
• non-evergreen hedges or trees
• trees within a forest or woodland (more than 0.2 hectares)
• roots, dangerous trees, or leaves.

Making a complaint

You will be expected to have tried to resolve the issue before you complain to the Council, and you will have to prove this as part of your complaint.

You should talk to your neighbour or write them a letter and you should keep a record of all correspondence with your neighbour.

The Council does not negotiate between neighbours but investigates a complaint and makes a judgement as to whether the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their property.

If your neighbour refuses to talk or correspond with you, you could ask a community representative or mutual friend to intervene. Or you could contact an independent mediator.

If the Council decides that the complaint is justified, it will serve a notice on the hedge owner specifying what needs to be done to manage the hedge and the date by which this should be done.

It is an offence not to comply with the terms of a remedial notice. The penalty for non-compliance will be a fine of up to £1,000 with the possibility of further fines for continued non-compliance.

If a complaint has been made about your hedge, please see guidance for hedge owners below.

Fees

The fee for making a formal complaint is £360.

For further information contact Licensing and Regulatory Services on 0300 013 3333 ext 40403 or by emailing licensing@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk