Carol Klein explains 'technique' to help thicken up hedges
A hedge that’s too high may not seem like a problem but it could be bothersome to neighbours and those living nearby.
While hedges are a brilliant garden boundary, the wrong hedge can cause a plethora of problems and could even lead to gardeners receiving a fine.
Planning permission or building regulations don’t need to be followed when it comes to hedges but they do come with their own set of requirements, according to the home insurance team at Compare the Market.
Failing to tend to high hedges could land homeowners and gardeners with a fine of up to £1,000.
High hedges legislation is Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which allows local councils to deal with complaints about high hedges whose area contains the land on which the hedge is situated.
READ MORE: Gardeners could be slapped with £5,000 fine for unassuming gardening mistake
Homeowners have to keep their hedges maintained and so if a neighbour has an issue with their overgrown hedges, they are within their rights to make a complaint to the local authority.
If the local authority finds that the complainants’ enjoyment of their property is negatively affected by the hedges, they could issue a “remedial notice”.
This notice sets out what must be done to the hedge and when it must be done by.
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In this situation, homeowners may need to keep their hedges trimmed to a certain height.
However, the council cannot order homeowners to remove the hedge, take any action that could result in the death of the hedge or trim the hedge to less than two metres above ground level.
If the hedge is not cut in accordance with the remedial notice, homeowners could then be fined up to £1,000.
The Government website reads: “It’s an offence to fail to do what a remedial notice requires.
“Such an offence is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000. Also, the council can enter the land and carry out the required work.
“Chapter nine of High hedges complaints: prevention and cure gives detailed guidance on enforcing remedial notices.”
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