Tag: hedges

Trees, hedges and overhanging foliage

Do your trees need pruning?  Is a high hedge causing you problems?  Or is overhanging foliage (bushes) obstructing the footpath?  Here is some useful advice on what to do.

Trees

Some lovely trees and hedges
Some lovely trees and hedges

First, check on our map to see if the tree is in a Conservation Area or has a Tree Preservation Order.  This is important as it could limit what you can do.  Our Tree Protection Charter sets this out in more detail.

If the trees are protected then you’ll need to notify us before you do any works.  You can apply for this online and these guidance notes explain all the details.  For issues with trees on Council land we have more information on our website.

High Hedges

High hedges can be a nuisance if they’re blocking out lots of light so it’s in everyone’s interest that these are kept in shape.  If you’ve tried discussing this with your neighbour who owns the hedge and they don’t want to cut it back you can apply for a High Hedge Notice.  We have more information on our website on how to do this, but hopefully you can resolve this amicably.  Otherwise we may serve a notice to reduce the height of the hedge.  Ultimately, if the notice isn’t complied with we may take action to cut it back and recover the costs from the owner.  We’d rather it didn’t come to that.

Overhanging foliage

Overhanging bushes.
Overhanging bushes

Although this isn’t a planning responsibility we do like to see that footpaths are kept clear and that you can get around without any obstructions.

So if trees or bushes are overhanging a public footpath and getting in your way there is an online form you can fill in and one of the Council’s area teams will deal with this.

Hopefully this has given you a few tips on how to sort out a variety of arboriculture issues. If you still need some help please get in touch with us at planningtrees@edinburgh.gov.uk

High Hedges

This week (from 1 April) the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 came into effect to help resolve issues with high hedges which are having a negative impact on domestic properties. 

A hedge
A hedge

Where neighbours are unable to resolve the issue of a high hedge, this new legislation gives homeowners and occupiers a right to apply to us for a high hedge notice.  The Council will act as an independent and impartial adjudicator, considering the position of each party, before making a decision.

The intention is that the new law will resolve problems caused by hedges (hedges which are over two metres tall and block out light) and allows us to enforce decisions taken. You can find more about the new legislation and how to make an application for a high hedges notice including the relevant fees on our website.