Part 8 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, gave local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges, and came into force on 1 June 2005. Since then, provided you have tried mediation and exhausted all other possibilities for resolving your hedge dispute, you are able to apply to us to consider the complaint.
Further information about the high hedge complaints process can be found on the gov.uk website.
Contacting the local planning authority (LPA-us) should be seen as a last resort where all other means of negotiation have been unsuccessful. The LPA cannot negotiate with either party or mediate between the parties.
Instead, it has to decide whether the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of their property. In doing so, the LPA will carry out an assessment of the hedge, its height, its position in relation to the complainant's property, orientation, etc, in line with the criteria set out in the legislation.
You can find details of our Privacy Notice here.
Further information
- there is a fee of £350.00 which will need to be submitted with the complaint. The complaint will not be processed without the correct fee.
- details of the attempts to resolve the dispute will need to accompany any application/complaint.
- the legislation does not require all hedges to be cut down to 2 metres above ground level.
- the legislation does not cover single coniferous trees or deciduous trees.
- the legislation does not guarantee access to uninterrupted light.
- the LPA cannot order the complete removal of the hedge.
- you do not need permission to grow your hedge to over 2 metres in height.
Submitting a high hedge complaint
You can submit a high hedge complaint by completing the form below and returning it to our Planning Team by email at the following address: planningadmin.admin@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Before you begin your complaint, please also take the time to read through the guidance information below.
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