Complaint form: high hedges
Use this form to submit a complaint to the Council about a high hedge, under Part 8 of
the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. It should be completed by the person making the
Complaint or their representative.
Before completing this form, please read the guidance notes sent with it and the
leaflet High hedges: complaining to the Council. Please use BLOCK CAPITALS
and black ink.
YOU MUST PAY A FEE WHEN YOU SEND IN THIS FORM. The current fee is
£450.00
The Council will rely on the information you provide so please make sure it is
clear and accurate.
1. Attempts to resolve the complaint
Please describe what you have done to try to settle this matter. Give dates and
say what the result was. Please provide copies of any letters that you mention.
1.1 Approached neighbour/hedge owner and asked to discuss problem
1.2 Asked neighbour/hedge owner to try mediation
1.3 Informed neighbour/hedge owner of intention to complain to Council
If you have not tried all the above steps, the Council might not proceed with
your complaint.
1.4 Anything else
SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL
P24
2. Criteria for making a complaint
About the hedge
2.1 Is the hedge or the portion that is causing problems made up of a line of 2 or
more trees or shrubs?
Yes No
2.2 Is it mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen?
Yes No
2.3 Is it more than 2 metres above ground level?
Yes No
2.4 Even though there are gaps in the foliage or between the trees, is the hedge still
capable of obstructing light or views?
Yes No
2.5 Is it growing on land owned by someone else?
Yes No
Who can complain
2.6 Is the complainant the owner or occupier (eg tenant) of the property affected by the
hedge?
Yes No
Please delete whichever
does not apply.
2.7 Is the property residential?
Yes No
If you have answered ‘No’ to any of the questions in this section, the criteria have
not been met and so the Council cannot consider your complaint.
Owner / Occupier
3. Grounds of complaint
Please describe the problems actually experienced as a result of the hedge being
too tall, and say how serious they are. It will save time and help your case if you
stick to the facts and provide all relevant information to back up the points you
are making.
To help the Council understand your situation, please provide a photo of the
hedge and a plan or sketch of both the site where the hedge is growing and the
property it is affecting, with the hedge clearly marked on it.
4. Previous complaints to the Council
4.1 Has a formal complaint been made to the Council before about this hedge?
Yes No
4.2 If you have ticked ‘Yes’, do you know the date and/or reference number of the
Council’s decision letter?
Date Ref number
4.3 What has changed since the Council last looked at this?
If nothing has altered, the Council might not proceed with your complaint
5. Who’s who/The parties
5.1 Complainant’s contact details
Title Forename Surname
Name
Address
City/Town
County Postcode
Daytime
Telephone No.
Mobile
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Email Address
Is the complainant content for us to contact them by email, at the address provided?
Yes No
5.2 Address of the property affected by the hedge and name of the person living there,
if different to 5.1
Title Forename Surname
Name
Address
City/Town
County Postcode
Daytime
Telephone No.
Mobile
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Email Address
5.3 Contact details of Agent or other person acting on behalf of the complainant (if any)
Title Forename Surname
Name
Address
City/Town
County Postcode
Daytime
Telephone No.
Mobile
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Email Address
Is the Agent, or other person named above, content for us to contact them by email
at the address provided?
Yes No
5.4 Address of the site where the hedge is growing and name of person living there,
if known
Title Forename Surname
Name
Address or
description of
location
City/Town
County Postcode
Daytime
Telephone No.
Mobile
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Email Address
5.5 Name and address of the person who owns the property where the hedge is
situated, if different to 5.4 and if known
Title Forename Surname
Name
Address or
description of
location
City/Town
County Postcode
Daytime
Telephone No.
Mobile
Telephone No.
Fax No.
Email Address
6. Supporting documents
6.1 Have you enclosed the following:
A photo of the hedge
A location plan of the hedge and surrounding properties
Copies of correspondence with your neighbour about the hedge
Copies of any other documents that you mention
(please list these separately)
7. Sending the complaint
7.1 I confirm that I have completed as much of this form as I can and that, to the best of
my knowledge, the information provided is accurate.
Tick box
7.2 I enclose the fee of £450.00
Tick box
Name Date
Tick box
7.3 POST OR EMAIL THIS FORM AND ALL ENCLOSURES TO:
7.4 Please also send a copy of this form to the people identified in Section 5
above.
Tick the box to show you have done this
Planning Enforcement & Trees
South Northamptonshire Council
The Forum
Towcester
Northamptonshire
NN12 6AD
e-mail: development.management@southnorthants.gov.uk