My neighbour has a conifer hedge that is blocking out all my light and dropping brown needles everywhere – what can I do?
You do not have a ‘legal right’ to light that may be blocked by trees or hedges. You should contact your neighbour, tell them about your concerns and ask if they are willing to cut their hedge. Do not approach your neighbour with an unfriendly attitude. Instead, explain to them how much the trees are affecting you. You may find that the trees are causing your neighbour concern too, but it’s one of those jobs they haven’t got around to yet. You could offer to split the cost of having the hedge cut, although you don’t have to do this as it isn’t your hedge. The Government has passed a new Antisocial Behaviour Act 2004. In this Act, there is a section relating to high hedges causing a nuisance, although the Act will not come into force until winter 2004 at the earliest. Like other local authorities, we are waiting for regulations and guidelines on how to interpret this new law. Although this law will give you legal backing, we as an authority would recommend that you negotiate with your n
