Libraries and leisure

Problems with hedges

If you have a concern about a hedge that you own or for which you are responsible, we suggest you seek expert opinion from a landscape consultant or contractor. They should be able to offer advice on disease control, hedge-cutting, hedge-laying (or layering), coppicing, filling in gaps (known as "beating up") and matters of law.

If you are thinking about removing a hedge please note that it is a legal requirement not to disturb wild birds that are nesting.

If you have a problem with a neighbour's hedge, you will need to make every effort with them to come to an agreement about what needs to be done. Even if this fails be very careful that any actions you take fall within the law.

Although the High Hedges regulations hold out the possibility in certain circumstances of action being taken on your behalf by your district or borough council (not the county council) it will want to know that all other avenues have been exhausted first.