We know hedges can add a lot to a property in terms of privacy and aesthetics as well as be a haven for wildlife.
You don't need permission to grow or retain a hedge along the boundary of your property. However, hedges can also cause a problem for neighbours.
A high hedge in terms of legislation is above two metres tall.
If you have a high hedge, you don’t have to do anything unless your hedge is causing a problem for someone else. We would encourage you to maintain the hedges on your property at a reasonable height and listen carefully if your neighbours have any concerns about it.
Legislation
This is in place to help people who are affected by high hedges acting as a barrier to light to their domestic property.
The law specifically deals with evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges which are the most popular but also present the most problems.
We enforce this legislation and will investigate any complaints brought to us.
You can read The High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 on this link.
If you are affected by a high hedge
To help maintain positive relationships we recommend neighbours working together to resolve the issue before contacting us. We will not negotiate between neighbours.
If your neighbour refuses to talk or correspond with you, you could consider using mediation. You could ask a community representative or mutual acquaintance to intervene.
Making a complaint
You cannot complain about:
- single trees
- non-evergreen hedges or trees
- trees within a forest or woodland (of a size greater than 0.2 hectares)
- roots, dangerous trees, or leaves
For the legislation to apply the hedge must:
- be made up of a line of 2 or more evergreen or semi-evergreen plants, trees or shrubs (not deciduous ones - that lose their leaves) which are acting as a barrier to light
- reach a height of at least 2 metres from ground level on the hedge owner’s side (not measured from your garden level)
- have no significant gaps
If a complaint is made we will:
- determine each case on its own merit
- make a judgement as to whether the hedge is having an adverse effect on the complainant's property
If we determine a complaint is justified, we will serve a remedial notice on the hedge owner. It will specify what needs to be done to manage the hedge at a reasonable height and the date by which this should be done.
It is an offence not to comply with the terms of a remedial notice. The penalty for non-compliance will be a fine of up to £1,000 with the possibility of further fines for continued non-compliance.
For more information on making a complaint please contact the team by emailing: ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
Further information
Please click the relevant link below for more information in PDF format
Guidance for complainant
Guidance for hedge owners