High hedges
You can make a complaint if your home is negatively affected by a neighbour's high hedge. A high hedge has to be at least two metres high and be mainly evergreen or semi evergreen. Complaints will be dealt with by our tree officers.
Making a complaint
You can download a high hedge complaints form below. The fee for a complaint about a typical single garden hedge (between two dwellings) is £490.
Some hedge complaints will be more complicated. The fee for these will be higher, depending on the circumstances of the case. Before making a complaint, we suggest that you contact us to discuss the likely fee.
Fees for high hedge complaints| Type of complaint | Fee |
|---|
| Standard complaint | Initial full fee £490 |
| Compound complaints - multiple complainants, single hedge, one owner | Initial full fee for every complainant who is party to the complaint |
| Discretionary charge for submission of complaints that are dismissed because incomplete, premature (insufficient effort made to resolve dispute before submission), frivolous or vexatious. | £35 |
| Complex complaint - one complainant, single hedge, multiple owners | Initial full fee plus 20% supplementary property fee for each additional property on which the hedge is situated (ie additional owner). The council will be required to consult and serve information on each of the owners affected and visit their property |
| Complex complaint - one complainant multiple hedges, one owner | Initial full fee for the first hedge plus 20% supplementary fee for each additional hedge. (The impact of each hedge has to be considered individually and remedial notices issued for each) |
| Complex complaint - one complainant, multiple hedges, multiple owners | Initial full fee for the first hedge and a reduced fee (20% of the full fee) for each additional hedge owner specified in the complaint. (The impact of each hedge on the complainant has to be considered individually and remedial notices issued for each) |
| Flatted development - multiple complainants. Where there are multiple complainants and the hedge is alleged to have a detrimental impact on the reasonable enjoyment of the complainant's actual accommodation | Initial full fee for each complainant |
| Flatted development - multiple complainants. Where there are multiple complainants and the hedge is alleged to have a detrimental impact on the garden/communal areas around the flats | Initial full fee for each complainant |