Poots introduces High Hedges legislation

Legislation designed to help people adversely affected by high hedges near their property was introduced in the Assembly today.

The Bill will empower local councils to act in disputes over loss of light to a domestic property due to a neighbouring high hedge.

The Bill will apply to lines of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees and will introduce a system similar to that which has been operating successfully in England and Wales since 2005.

Speaking after introducing the High Hedges Bill in the Assembly, Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: “I know very well the distress and inconvenience that can arise for neighbours when high hedges are not maintained and allowed to grow way beyond a reasonable height. When I took up office I promised to act quickly to introduce legislation to alleviate the problem. I am very pleased to be introducing the High Hedges Bill today, so that it can begin its passage through the Assembly.

Public consultation on a draft High Hedges Bill closed on 1 March 2010 and attracted many responses from all over Northern Ireland.

The Minister added: “This indicates clearly the interest in the problem being tackled to help people who have been upset or inconvenienced due to an unreasonably high hedge. This legislation will afford people, who have endured being in the shadow of a neighbour’s high hedge, a means of redress.

“I am encouraged by the many positive responses to the public consultation on the draft Bill, and these have been very helpful in contributing to the final version introduced today. “

Notes to editors:

1. Further information on high hedges is available on the DOE website
2. In England and Wales, high hedges legislation has been in operation since 2005. The provisions give local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges which are having an adverse effect on a neighbour’s enjoyment of his property.
3. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.