Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Hobden
"Sally Thompson" wrote after Jo asked[color=blue][i]
[color=green][i]
Is there a legal height for conifers?
If it's a hedge and your neighbours refuse to have them
lopped to the maximum height of 2 metres you can approach your local Council who will decide if it comes under the legislation and will then order the work to be done or even do it themselves at a cost to the owner.
However you, yes you, have to pay the Council £400. to get them to look into a hedge dispute and it's none refundable so if they decide it does not come under the legislation or that you have no case you lose your money for
nothing. An elderly neighbour has a serious problem with a high hedge, like 35ft and growing on the S. side of his garden, but can't afford the £400. The owner of the hedge refuses to talk about it.
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Regards
Bob Hobden
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Almost right Bob. You can get your neighbour to trim their (evergreen, or mainly evergreen) hedge, but frequently the determined maximum height will be rather more than 2m. Check it out here.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planni...es/highhedges/
It is not an offence to have a high hedge. You are breaking the law if your neighbour gets an order and you fail to trim it to the height in that order, maximum fine £1000. Getting an order is not easy, you have to have evidence of trying to solve it amicably first. If there is an order, it may well be for a height rather more than 2m. 2m would be for an evergreen hedge close to your neighbour's south-facing window. It is all extremely complicated as this document makes clear.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/docume...wguidancehedge
Here's some FAQ from that site.
The legislation does not require all hedges to be cut down to a height of 2 metres
You do not have to get permission to grow a hedge above 2 metres
When a hedge grows over 2 metres the local authority does not automatically take action, unless a justifiable complaint is made
If you complain to your local authority, it does not follow automatically that they will order your neighbour to reduce the height of their hedge. They have to weigh up all the issues and consider each case on its merits
The legislation does not cover single or deciduous trees
The local authority cannot require the hedge to be removed
The legislation does not guarantee access to uninterrupted light
There is no provision to serve an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) in respect of high hedge complaints.