Urban Design
High Hedges
New legislation came into force on 1 June 2006 (Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003) which aims to address disputes between neighbours that may be caused by high hedges and provides a process for resolving these matters.
The first thing to do is to discuss the problem with your neighbour and if this is difficult you should discuss it with an independent mediator or third party. If you cannot agree on a solution, then you can contact us as a last resort. You can submit a formal complaint to us who will decide if the hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of your home.
To make a formal complaint, you must be able to prove that all other attempts to resolve the dispute have failed. If you cannot, then we can refuse to accept the complaint.
It will cost you £350 to submit a high hedges complaint and you will not get this back.
We can order the owner to reduce the height of their hedge to an acceptable level. There is a right of appeal against any decision made. Failure to comply with an order to reduce a hedge can result in a fine.
This new procedure will be reviewed after 5 years to see how effective it is.
Information and Guidance
The following leaflets set out the details of the procedure.
'Over the garden hedge' by Communities and Local Government 
PDF 1.05M
A leaflet on how to settle your hedge differences without involving us. It sets out in 5 steps the best way to deal with a problem caused by someone else's hedge.
'Hedge height and light loss' by Communities and Local Government PDF 43K
This booklet will help you to assess whether an evergreen hedge is blocking too much daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties.
'High hedges: Complaining to the Council' by Communities and Local Government PDF 395K
This leaflet explains what complaints we can consider, how we will deal with them and sets out what we expect you to have done to try to settle your hedge dispute.
'High Hedges complaint form' PDF 21K
This form is for you to set out your grounds of complaint. This should include, the problems caused by the hedge, its severity and the impact on you plus any other supporting information. There is a non-refundable fee of £350 for pursuing a formal complaint.
'High Hedges Guidance Notes for Applicants' PDF 43K
Guidance for completing the high hedges complaints form.
Appealing against our decision by Communities and Local Government PDF 314K
How and when to appeal against a council decision to reduce the height of your hedge.
To view PDF files requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Useful web links
You can get copies of all leaflets from the Planning Reception, Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking.
Communities and Local Government|
Full information about the Trees and High Hedges legislation.
Communities and Local Government Publications|
Contact information for ordering publications.
To talk to someone about Tree Preservation Orders, please contact Paul Clark on 020 8227 3788.
Further legislation
To bring the high hedges provisions into operation the following secondary legislation has been introduced:
- Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 (Commencement number 5) (England) Order 2005 [SI number 710] - which brings all of Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 into effect
- The High Hedges (Appeals) (England) Regulations 2005 [SI number 711] - which establish the grounds on which complainants and hedge owners can appeal against local authorities' decisions under the legislation, and the procedure for determining appeals
- The Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2005 [SI number 714] - which specify that decisions relating to high hedges complaints cannot be taken by local authority executives
The Act and these Statutory Instruments are available on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
