Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Conservative). It was answered by Baroness Andrews (Labour) on Thursday, 9 March 2006.

High Hedges

Question: Whether they will take steps, other than by amending legislation, to clarify the word ““removal”” of hedges in order to facilitate the successful implementation of Part 8 (High Hedges) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Answer: My Lords, in the ODPM’s guidance document, High Hedges Complaints: Prevention and Cure, the Government clearly set out their view that local authorities cannot, under the terms of Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, require action to be taken in relation to a high hedge that would result in its death or destruction. Unless the courts take a different view, there is no means of clarifying the term ““removal”” other than by amending legislation.

Secondary information