High hedges complaint
A high hedge is defined as any two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs growing next to each other which are taller than two metres.
Enquiries about one individual tall tree will not be considered as a high hedge. You can ask the landowner if they will consider reducing the height of the tree.
It will be up to the landowner whether they choose to have the height of the tree reduced, dependant on the legal status of the tree.
If a council tenant has inherited a high hedge the hedge will be removed. Council tenants should not plant vigorous conifer hedges in their gardens.
Request works to a council-owned tree or high hedge
Use this form to request work to a council-owned tree of high hedge.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
Complain about a privately owned high hedge
If you live in private accommodation and have an issue with your neighbours high hedge and you have exhausted all other means of communication with them about getting it reduced in height, then you may qualify for the council to assess the hedge under part eight of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
Contacting the council and making a high hedges complaint should be seen as a last resort if all other options to resolve the dispute have been unsuccessful.
View government leaflets about making a high hedges complaint.
View our high hedges complaint guidance notes.
The fee is £500, which includes a non-refundable £50 administration charge.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself at least five minutes to fill in the form.
To help the council understand your situation, please provide photos and documents relevant to the complaint. You will need:
A payment card, Apple Pay or Google Pay*
If available: A photograph of the hedge
If available: A location plan or sketch of both the site where the hedge is growing and the property it is affecting, with the hedge clearly marked on it
If available: Copies of correspondence with the hedge owner about the hedge- If available: Copies of other documents you mention
If available: Copies of evidence of a reduced fee if this applies
If available: Copies of evidence of formal mediation and fee paid if this applies
What happens next
If the complaint is registered the council will inform both the complainant and the hedge owner. A tree officer will visit and assess the hedge. Following this a decision will be made.
The council has two options:
- The council can issue a letter stating no further action will be taken
- The council can serve a Remedial Notice on the hedge owner
The council will inform both the complainant and the hedge owner of the reasons for this decision. The decision can be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
