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High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Consolidated Text As Enacted Cited authorities 6 Cited in Related
Vincent
JurisdictionNorthern Ireland
Citation2011 NI c 21
Year2011
is made for the purposes of this Act by an owner or occupier of a domestic property; andalleges that the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of that property is being adversely affected by the height of a high hedge situated on land owned or occupied by another person.is made for the purposes of this Act by an owner of a domestic property that is for the time being unoccupied, andalleges that the reasonable enjoyment of that property by a prospective occupier of that property would be adversely affected by the height of a high hedge situated on land owned or occupied by another person,(3) In relation to a complaint falling within subsection (2) , references in sections 3 and 5 to the effect of the height of a high hedge on the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of a domestic property are to be read as references to the effect that it would have on the reasonable enjoyment of that property by a prospective occupier of the property.(4) This Act does not apply to complaints about the effect of the roots of a high hedge.(5) In this Act, in relation to a complaint concerning a high hedge—
  • “complainant” means—
    • (a) a person by whom the complaint is made; or
    • (b) if every person who made the complaint ceases to be an owner or occupier of the domestic property specified in the complaint, any other person who is for the time being an owner or occupier of that property;
    and references to the complainant include references to one or more of the complainants;
  • “the neighbouring land” means the land on which the high hedge is situated;
  • “the council” means the district council in whose district that land is situated.
a dwelling; ora garden or yard which is used and enjoyed wholly or mainly in connection with a dwelling.(7) In subsection (6) “dwelling” means any building or part of a building occupied, or intended to be occupied, as a separate dwelling.(8) A reference in this Act to the reasonable enjoyment of domestic property includes a reference to the reasonable enjoyment of a part of the property.is formed wholly or predominantly by a line of two or more evergreens; andrises to a height of more than two metres above ground level.(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a line of evergreens is not to be regarded as forming a barrier to light if the existence of gaps significantly affects its overall effect as such a barrier at heights of more than two metres above ground level.(3) In this section “evergreen” means an evergreen tree or shrub or a semi-evergreen tree or shrub.(4) But nothing in this Act applies to trees which are growing on land of 0.2 hectares or more in area which is forest or woodland.is made to the council; andis accompanied by such fee (if any) as the council may determine.that the complainant has not taken all reasonable steps to resolve the matters complained of without proceeding by way of such a complaint to the council, orthat the complaint is frivolous or vexatious,whether the height of the high hedge specified in the complaint is adversely affecting the complainant's reasonable enjoyment of the domestic property so specified; andif so, what action (if any) should be taken in relation to that hedge, in pursuance of a remedial notice under section 5, with a view to remedying the adverse effect or preventing its recurrence.issue a remedial notice under section 5 implementing its decision;every complainant; andevery owner and every occupier of the neighbouring land; andnotify each of those persons of the reasons for its decision.decides that the complaint should not be proceeded with, ordecides either or both of the issues specified in subsection (3) otherwise than in the complainant's favour,every complainant is an appropriate person in relation to a decision falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection; andevery owner and every occupier of the neighbouring land is an appropriate person in relation to a decision falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection.(1) The Department shall by regulations prescribe the maximum fee which may be determined by a council under section 3(1) (b) .must be refunded by it where subsection (3) applies; andmay be refunded by it in such other circumstances and to such extent as it may determine.a fee is paid to the council under section 3(1) (b) in connection with the making of a complaint to which this Act applies;a remedial notice is issued by, or on behalf of, the council in respect of the complaint; andthe remedial notice takes effect.(4) Regulations may make provision, in relation to a case where subsection (3) applies, for the payment to the council by any person who is an occupier or owner of the neighbouring land of a fee of such amount (if any) as the council may determine.provide for the fee not to exceed such amount as may be prescribed by the regulations;provide that, where two or more persons are liable to pay the fee, those persons are jointly and severally liable;provide for the fee to be refunded in such circumstances or to such extent as may be prescribed by, or determined in accordance with, the regulations.

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