High hedge legislation aims to overcome harm that is sometimes caused by a neighbouring high hedge.
The High Hedge Legislation sets out a framework for the council to deal with complaints about neighbouring hedges. The council offers two services for people affected by a neighbour’s hedge:
- initial site survey
- formal complaint
Asking the council to inspect a high hedge will incur a charge (initial site survey). There is also a fee for Wirral Council dealing with your formal complaint. This has been set to cover the cost of dealing with the complaint and any resultant legal action that may occur.
There may be circumstances where action will not be taken and the fee will not be refunded. The council recognises that paying for a formal complaint that may result in no action being taken appears unfair in the circumstances.
GOV.UK provides guidance on:
- resolving disputes about problem high hedges, without involving the council
- the law and high hedges
Initial site survey
We provide an informal site survey to give you our opinion, helping you decide if you want to file a formal complaint. This service costs £240.79
Please complete the Initial Site Survey application form below and pay the application fee online.
We will survey the hedge from your garden and will write to you with our opinion on what action can be taken. We will not contact your neighbour.
Given the limited nature of this service, our opinion is given without prejudice to any future formal complaint application and there is no right of appeal. There is no requirement to demonstrate that you have consulted with your neighbour or entered into mediation.
Apply for an initial site survey
Request an initial site survey and inspection
Formal complaint
You need to pay £423.50 when you submit a formal complaint, even if you've already paid for an initial site survey.
The council’s role is not to negotiate, but to make an impartial assessment of the impact of the hedge on the amenity of your property and to serve a Remedial Notice where necessary. We will survey the hedge from your garden and your neighbour’s garden, and all the information will be taken into consideration.
We will not accept a formal application if you do not provide evidence that you have attempted to resolve the dispute by reaching agreement with your neighbour. You must retain copies of any letters or correspondence between you and the hedge owner to submit with the application.
You should also consider involving an independent, impartial person to mediate between you and your neighbour if you do not get on or the dispute is long running.
If you wish to benefit from this service, please complete the formal complaint application form below and pay the application fee online.
Make a formal complaint
Make a formal complaint about a high hedge
Make a payment
Pay online for your application by card (select 'Other Payments' on the menu)
Overhanging hedges
Hedges that hang over on to pavements blocking the way are a problem. The council can take action to ensure hedges are trimmed.
Further information on hedges blocking pavements can be found at: