What the rules cover
The provisions apply to evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges, so leylandii, laurel and thuja are typical subjects and a line of deciduous trees usually is not. The council assesses loss of light and reasonable enjoyment, not simply height, and a remedial notice cannot require the hedge to be reduced below 2 metres or removed altogether.
- Write to your neighbour first and keep copies — councils expect evidence of this.
- Most councils charge a fee for a formal complaint, often a few hundred pounds.
- Failing to comply with a remedial notice is an offence.
The practical route most people take
A negotiated reduction is almost always cheaper and faster than a formal complaint. A sensible offer is a reduction to a height both households can live with, with a maintenance cut agreed for future years. Note that leylandii will not reshoot from bare brown wood, so a hedge cut back too hard stays brown — the achievable height is worth discussing before anyone commits.
How James David Forestry Ltd can help
James David Forestry Ltd works across Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral, Ormskirk and Lancashire. We assess the actual tree, access and surroundings before recommending work. Clear photographs can be useful for initial guidance, but some questions need a site visit and we will not diagnose a dangerous or diseased tree from website information alone.
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Tell us what you need doing and send a few photos — we will come back with honest advice and a written price for work across Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral, Ormskirk and Lancashire. We cut trees, not corners.