New legislation, part 8 of the Anti – Social Behaviour Act 2004, which gives local authorities powers to deal with complaints about high hedges came into force on 1st June 2005.

Two booklets issued by the Communities Office are available from this Council  ‘Over the Garden Hedge’ and  ‘High hedges complaining to the Council’.  Further information is available from the Communities Office.

A Complaint form  is available with accompanying Guidance Notes and customer contract   We are also able to supply a SEAMS (mediation information) leaflet on request. 

Should you wish to make a complaint about a high hedge then a There is a fee of £400 for arbitration of a High Hedge complaint payable to Braintree District Council.  This is a non-refundable fee.

Should either the complainant or the hedge grower be dissatisfied with the outcome of the Council’s decision there is a right of appeal.

Further information is available from the Communities Office. -http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/