Statement

WEIR WELCOMES START OF CONSULTATION ON HIGH HEDGE LEGISLATION 

Posted on: January 6, 2010

“I welcome the launch of the consultation by the Department of the Environment on proposed legislation to curb the excesses of high hedges and high trees. This will be welcome news to many people in North Down who have had to suffer this problem for many years. The consultation which is due to run until 10th March will be opportunity to bring Northern Ireland closer into line with the position in the rest of the UK, while avoiding some of the problems that have arisen in Great Britain over its implementation. For the vast majority of people this is not an issue, as good neighbourliness sorts out the overwhelming majority of problems, but for some it has become a blight that creates great distress for them. 

This new proposed legislation puts the initial emphasis on neighbours resolving their problems between themselves. This is how it should be, but where it is shown that every effort has been made to resolve the matter, and this has been unsuccessful, the complainant has the opportunity to refer the matter to the local Council who will then investigate the matter, and ultimately has the power to compel the offending landowner to take action to reduce the size of their hedges or trees themselves. The legislation also protects residents against vexatious or malicious complaints, so that it cannot unfairly be used to harass innocent landowners. This is a balanced and sensible way forward, and will be of great relief to many in North Down. I urge people locally to give their views to the consultation by writing to the Department of the Environment before the deadline closes.”