§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what 39W regulations there are to control the size of garden hedges, with specific reference to permitting sufficient light for neighbours. [43043]
§ Ms KeebleThere are no regulations to control the size of garden hedges. Guidelines, which provide an objective method for assessing whether high hedges block out too much light to adjoining properties, were published on my Department's website in December 2001. We want to encourage people to apply the guidelines and use the results to settle disputes with their neighbours amicably. We are preparing a leaflet specially designed for this purpose, which we expect to launch in the spring. But the guidelines have no statutory force.
We recognise that, in some cases, guidance and voluntary action is no substitute for a legal remedy to the problems caused by high hedges. We remain committed, therefore, to bringing forward legislation to set up a statutory complaints system for dealing with high hedge problems as soon as there is space in the Parliamentary timetable.