High hedges

We encourage everybody to manage their hedges and trees in the same way as they would expect their neighbours to do. The following examples are considered to be high hedges:

  • a hedge which is over 2 metres tall
  • a hedge which blocks daylight from a neighbouring property / garden
  • most of the hedge in question comprises a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs or trees


Complaining about a high hedge

Gwynedd Council deals with all complaints about high hedges in Gwynedd, even within the Snowdonia National Park area.

You should only complain to the Council as a last resort, when all other attempts to solve the problem have failed.
The first step is to discuss the situation with your neighbour. You should keep a record of every contact and correspondence between you and your neighbour regarding the issue. If you have failed to settle the dispute with your neighbour you can submit a complaint to the Council.

Download the form below, fill it in and return it to the address at the bottom of the form itself, with the fee, or phone 01766 771000.


Fee

When you submit a complaint about a high hedge you will need to send a cheque for £320 payable to Gwynedd Council. Your complaint will not be considered until the fee has been paid. This fee is non-refundable.


Steps which will be taken by the Council

The Council will decide whether it’s reasonable to say that the hedge is having an adverse affect on your enjoyment of your property or garden. If so, the Council will consider what steps to take to solve the dispute and prevent the problem from recurring.

If the Council decides that action is necessary, the person responsible for the hedge will receive a formal notice.
This will set out:

  • what works should be carried out to the problem hedge
  • what preventative action needs to be taken to ensure that it is maintained at a reasonable height in future
  • the penalties they will incur if they fail to comply with the notice.

Failure to comply with the formal notice is an offence which could lead to the hedge owner being prosecuted.


Appeals

The complainant and the hedge owner have a right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the decision of the Council. This must be done within 28 days from the date on which the Council made the decision. For more information, go to:


More information

 

Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force on December 31st 2004. It outlines procedures to enable local authorities in Wales and England to deal with complaints about high hedges.

No.

The Council may decline to accept any complaint it considers to lack sufficient grounds, or if it considers that the complainant has failed to take all reasonable steps to resolve the issue prior to attempting to involve the Council.

This is a civil matter not covered by the Act. Problems such as this cannot be dealt with by the Enforcement Unit of the Planning Service.

Yes.

The complainant must take the same reasonable steps (see above) before approaching the Council.

No.

However, the height to which it will be appropriate to reduce specific hedges will depend on the circumstances of each case.

Yes.

The notice will contain its ‘issue date’ and a date at least 28 days later will be cited as its ‘operative date’.

It will also cite a ‘compliance period’, which will be a reasonable period that allows the hedge owner the opportunity to enlist the services of a contractor (if necessary) and to make the arrangements for the work to be carried out.

It is recommended that hedge cutting does not take place between March and August, as disturbance of nesting birds may contravene wildlife protection legislation.

Only after the expiration of the compliance period may the Council commence proceedings for non-compliance with the notice.

The Act creates an offence of failing to comply with a remedial notice.
The implications of this are that if the hedge owner is convicted by a Magistrates court, they may be fined up to £1000.

The court may also decide to order the hedge owner to carry out the requisite works.

Furthermore, it is also an offence to obstruct an officer of the council exercising a power under this Act and if it occurs, this too is punishable by a fine of up to £1000.

 

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