How high can a hedge be? The high hedges rules explained

No. There's no general law that says a garden hedge must be kept below a set height. But under the high hedges rules, a neighbour can complain to the council about an evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge over 2m tall that blocks light or access to their property.

Before complaining, the neighbour must try to settle it with you. The council can then order the hedge to be reduced and kept at a set height.

Leylandii is the most common cause of high-hedge complaints because it grows so fast. Regular cutting is much easier and cheaper than one big reduction.

Keep evergreen boundary hedges to a manageable height with one or two cuts a year. If a hedge has got out of hand, we can reduce it or replace it with fencing.