High hedges

There are no restrictions on planting trees or shrubs to form a hedge. Problems can therefore easily arise if they are planted in unsuitable locations or not maintained. 

You can apply for a high hedge notice if you feel that a neighbour's hedge is affecting light to your property.

We act as independent and impartial adjudicators when neighbours are unable to reach an agreement in disputes over a high hedge. We have the power to make and enforce formal decisions on high hedges in these cases.

Before you apply

You must take reasonable steps to resolve a high hedge dispute before making a formal application. An application for a high hedge notice should be a last resort and will be rejected if there is no evidence that attempts have been made to resolve the dispute.

The steps you should take before approaching us will vary from case to case but may include:

• informal discussions between neighbours
• some form of mediation involving a third party

Your application

Apply for a high hedge notice

The fee is £450.

Your completed application form should be submitted along with:

• a plan clearly identifying the location and extent of the hedge, preferably to a recognised metric scale such as 1:1250 or 1:500
• photos of the hedge
• any relevant supporting documents, for example, correspondence or other evidence of attempts to resolve the dispute
• the required application fee

Identifying high hedges

A hedge can only be considered as a high hedge if it:

• is formed wholly or mainly by a row of 2 or more trees or shrubs
• rises to a height of more than 2 metres above ground level
• forms a barrier to light

A hedge is not regarded as forming a barrier to light if it has gaps that significantly reduce its overall effect as a barrier at heights of more than 2 metres. The roots of a high hedge are not taken into account.

Our investigating officer would make any decision on whether or not a hedge is formed by trees and shrubs planted closely together. Single trees, woodlands or forests are not included.

Unfortunately we are unable to visit sites to carry out inspections or offer advice on whether a hedge is high before you submit a formal application.

What happens next

We will:

• notify the hedge owner once an application is accepted
• arrange to visit the property to assess the hedge and its impact on the light levels of the applicant's property
• give the hedge owner 28 days to submit any relevant representations regarding the application

Please be aware that we have to notify the owner of the land of your application and provide them with a copy of your details. Sensitive personal information (phone numbers, email addresses and signatures) will be removed (redacted).

Making a decision

We will make 1 of 2 decisions:

1.  a notice will be served as it is considered justified to do so
2.  the effects of the hedge are not considered to justify serving a notice

Both parties will be notified once a decision is made and we will outline the reasons for reaching that decision.

The hedge owner will be given a deadline by which to meet the terms of any high hedge notice that is served. If the hedge owner fails to take action in that time, then we will arrange for the work to be carried out. 

We have the power to recover the cost of any work carried out from the hedge owner.

Appeal a decision

If there is disagreement with our decision, both parties have the right of appeal to Scottish Ministers through the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.