News Release

9 July 2004


 

Hedgeline calls for new high hedges law to go live by October


Hedgeline, the national lobby and support group for the victims of high hedges, is calling upon the Government to bring the new 'high hedges' law into force by the end of October and to close a winter sunlight loophole in the draft guidance notes for local authorities. As part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act, the law will allow complaints to be made to councils about nuisance hedges. Although the legislation was passed by Parliament in November 2003, the Government has yet to announce when the law is coming into force. A consultation period on its implementation ended on 30 June.


"The ball is now firmly back in the Government's court after the ending of the consultation period on procedural detail in June. As far as hedge victims are concerned, timing is everything. If the law is brought into force by the end of October, then there's a good chance that many victims will be able to enjoy next year's sunshine in their homes and gardens. If the Government delays the law, even for a few weeks, then thousands of victims will be enduring another sunless summer as we run into the garden bird nesting season," said Clare Hinchliffe, Policy Director, Hedgeline.


"We therefore need to make an early start upon a huge problem that's blighted many people's lives for many years, allowing time for the legal process to be followed through before next Spring. That way, hedges can be reduced in height without disturbing nesting birds. However, there's a further issue. The draft guidance notes suggest that victims will not be granted hedge height reductions to allow mid-winter sunlight back into their property. This is totally ridiculous. There's no point in having the new law unless it does the job that everyone intended."


Hedgeline expects that many thousands of hedge victims will be filing complaints with their local authorities as soon as the new law comes into force. Hedge owners will be asked to cut their hedges down to size or face the consequences of an enforcement procedure that includes heavy fines and criminal prosecution. Hedgeline intends to offer practical advice to its members including how to make an official high hedges complaint and the possible recovery of any associated costs from the hedge owner through the small claims court.


 

About Hedgeline

Formed in 1998, Hedgeline (www.hedgeline.org) is a large lobby and support group with over 4,000 members. Its primary objective is the effective legislative control of problem hedges of all species in residential areas. The issues caused by high hedges include light deprivation, subsidence and many other problems that adversely affect people's enjoyment of their homes and gardens. Working through local groups across the United Kingdom, Hedgeline provides members with comprehensive advice and information by drawing on the practical experiences of thousands of hedge victims.


Hedgeline Photographs: www.hedgeline.org/photos.htm

Electronic text for this news release is at www.hedgeline.org/news.htm


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