New law aims to cut back neighbours’ hedge-rows

A NEW law allowing householders to apply to their local council to resolve disputes about high hedges comes into force today.

The legislation covers a hedge of two or more trees or shrubs which rises to a height of more than two metres and blocks out light.

Before council officers become involved, occupiers will have to show that the heightofthehedgeadversely affects the reasonable enjoyment of their property and that they have taken reasonable steps to resolve matters.

For a £400 fee their council will then step in, hearing from the applicants and the owners of the hedge, before making a decision about whether the vegetation has to be trimmed.

If householders fail to comply with the new law, the council could enter the land, carry out work on the hedge itself and charge the owner for any expenses.

Local government and planning minister Derek Mackay said the law would offer a way for neighbours to resolve disputes.

He said: “Unlike fences or walls that require planning permission if they are over two metres tall, there is no restriction on planting trees or shrubs to form a hedge, which, if planted in an unsuitable location, or not maintained, can cause disputes between neighbours.

“There remains an expectation that people should take all reasonable steps to resolve the issue ... however, there may be occasions when this isn’t possible.”