Poots announces legislation on high hedges and clean neighbourhoods

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today announced plans for two new pieces of legislation, High Hedges Bill and Clean Neighbourhoods Bill.

The High Hedges Bill will help people adversely affected by nuisance high hedges bordering their domestic property. The Clean Neighbourhoods Bill will give district councils powers to deal more effectively with a wide range of local environmental problems - commonly known as “the clean neighbourhoods agenda”.

The Minister said: “Since taking up office I have received a great deal of correspondence calling for new legislation to deal with nuisance high hedges. Similarly, I see a real need to address a broad range of environmental problems which impact on local communities: issues such as graffiti, fly-posting, dog fouling and litter – to name but a few. This new legislation will help address these problems.”

In England and Wales, legislation is already in place to deal with these issues, however there is currently no equivalent provision in Northern Ireland.

The Minister added: “As a local councillor, I was already well aware of how these issues blight our local environment. As Minister, I am determined to tackle the problems head-on.

“I now intend to bring forward the two new Bills to deal with nuisance high hedges and deliver the clean neighbourhoods agenda. I hope that these Bills can be included in the Assembly’s current legislative programme.”

Notes to Editors:

1. In England and Wales, high hedges legislation is contained in Part 8 of the Anti Social behaviour Act 2003. The provision gives local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges which are having an adverse effect on a neighbour’s enjoyment of his property.

2. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 outlines the legislative framework for the provision and maintenance of a clean and safe local environment. It deals with issues such as litter and refuse, graffiti and fly-posting, abandoned vehicles, dog control and noise nuisance. The Act relates to England and Wales.

3. The proposed legislation would give district councils in Northern Ireland the power to deal with nuisance high hedges and clean neighbourhoods issues

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