We are the support and lobby group who successfully campaigned for control of hedge nuisance in the UK.
Our help site draws on the experience of thousands of members
We are the support and lobby group who successfully campaigned for control of hedge nuisance in the UK.
Our help site draws on the experience of thousands of members
| The High Hedges Law passed in 2005 has directly and indirectly caused much hedge nuisance to be abated. Nevertheless serious loopholes have been found and the review which was promised by the Labour Government in 2005 is long overdue. We were told that this Government would honour that commitment. We have presented the Government with a detailed outline of the loopholes that need closing and been told they are the same as the ones the Councils have identified. |
| ADVICE on USING the HEDGE LAW | About the High Hedges Law |
| The CURRENT POSITION | Links
to items of particular current interest Where we are now and what we are doing - a brief note Problems in WALES |
| HEDGELINE | Hedgeline Contacts
Hedgeline's Aims and Origins |
| The Campaigns in SCOTLAND & IRELAND | Scotland | The N. Ireland Campaign | Contacts for these | Regions |
| OTHER |
Frequently Asked Questions: Key Information Some Facts about Hedging Trees Government & MP Contact Addresses Recommendations on Solicitors Links to other Relevant Sites |
| Our CAMPAIGN for LEGISLATION (historic) | Index to the campaign, and advice put out before the High Hedges Law (Nov. 2003) Notes on Fast Track (Small Claims Court) route, from this time Original Humour page (for old times sake) |
Here are the next steps to take, especially if unhappy with fees being charged, refusal to undertake responsibilities of High Hedge Law - Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, Part 8 - High Hedges or anything else not covered by Appeals to Planning Inspectorate:
You must decide whether you wish to make a formal complaint to the Council, bearing in mind the whole procedure from 1st Stage of Complaint to Ombudsman. It may well take up to 10 months before final decision by Ombudsman.
At point of impasse with Council, whoever 'decreed' the decision you are in disagreement with, you must contact your Council to find out if they actually have a Complaints Department. If they have then all your actions must be copied to that Department as you navigate the three stages of complaint set down by Government.
Firstly, reply to the council officer who in their email said 'no to action being undertaken or said fee was X amount eg anything over £ 1000'. Your heading must be "1st Stage complaint" - high fee or refusal to undertake responsibilities. Then in main body of email point out your reasons for complaint in full, and that you expect an answer within 15 working days, failure will result in you instigating 2nd Stage Complaint, and including the complaint that they failed to comply with Government guidelines re answering a complaint.
On fourth week, no answer, or as soon as they reply - if you do not accept their answer, then send another email to the Head of Council Officer's Department. The subject is 2nd Stage complaint and either high fee or refusal to undertake responsibilities. In main body of email state you have received email from Council Officer and he has refused to change anything, so you will give him 15 working days to answer before you apply for Third Stage to then enable you to ask for Ombudsman to adjudicate.
On fourth week, no answer or still refusal during three weeks, then repeat all above to the CEO - Chief Executive Officer outlining this is Third Stage and you await his answer before approaching the Ombudsman having completed all stages for the Ombudsman's involvement.
On fourth week if no answer then look online for your LGO Local Government Ombudsman and fill out the paperwork outlining your grievance (and include any failure to comply with Government guidelines on answering complaints.) Then await the Ombudsman's ruling.
Do not let any delays take place with your complaint system. The Councils will try to fob you off in the hope you will go away. Stick to the timelines you have put in each email regardless of what the Council says or delays.
Hedgeline does not enter into litigation: cf - Disclaimer
Since we closed our active campaign in May 2013 we cannot be quite as active in furthering these aims but there are stll faults and loopoles in the Law and there is room for new blood tro take up the challenge.
Primary Aim - The effective legislative control of nuisance high Hedges.
Also
1 - To bring about further changes in public attitudes towards the growers of nuisance high Hedges.
2 - To provide 'fellowship in adversity' for all Hedgeline members: sympathy and a listening ear to any hedge victim and informed
support for those resolved on actively confronting their problem.
We would like to point out that we are not specifically against the Leyland Cypress, or against harmless high hedges in suitable places. We are against all nuisance high Hedges, regardless of the plant species involved.
Hedgeline is not directly responsible for most of these sites, and does not necessarily support the material on them.
Scothedge. The website of our Scots branch which is campaigning for a high hedges Law
in Scotland.
Michael Jones' personal website Michael, our founder member, defended the much publicised 5 year court case, Stanton v Jones.
Government Websites
House of Commons Website http://www.parliament.uk
To Use a Website to contact Your MP or AM
