High Hedges (Hansard, 25 June 2001)

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he proposes to take to reduce the incidence of high hedges overshadowing or encroaching on people's property; and if he will make a statement. [37]

§ Ms Keeble
The Government are committed to introducing legislation that would give local authorities in England and Wales powers to deal with complaints about problem high hedges, as soon as there is space in the parliamentary timetable.
Where these hedges encroach on people's property, they already have rights to cut overhanging branches back to the boundary—unless any trees in the hedge are protected by a tree preservation order or the people live in a conservation area. In such cases, people should check with their local council before carrying out any works on the hedge.

§ Bob Russell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects legislation to be introduced to deal with high boundary hedges and trees in residential gardens; and if he will make a statement. [7]

§ Ms Keeble
The Government are committed to introducing legislation that would give local authorities in England and Wales powers to deal with complaints about problem high hedges, as soon as there is space in the parliamentary timetable.