Hedge removal laws and regulations

If you want to get rid of a problem hedge, read our guide to hedge removal laws. Learn the laws around garden, boundary and countryside hedges.

Common privet hedge problems: Everything you need to know

The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

Is it against the law to remove hedges?

If you have a hedge that is preventing the sun from reaching your garden, is taking over your garden, or has roots that are damaging your home, it may be tempting to just remove it.

However, if you are unhappy with a hedge in your garden, you will need to consider the following before taking any action.

The hedge may be protected by any of the following laws, and you may face criminal charges:

The Hedgerow Regulations 1997
The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981

Read on for further information about hedge removal, including the Hedgerow Regulations of 1997.

What are the Hedgerows Regulations 1997?

In June 1997, government legislation came into effect protecting hedgerows from unlawful removal. The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 covers protected hedges and means that without the correct permissions, their removal is a criminal offence.

For further information about the criteria that makes a hedge protected please click here. Or, look further into The Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

What is the garden hedge removal law?

There isn't a specific law about removing garden hedges. However, it is important to take a look at the government's advice.

It is, however, illegal to remove a hedge that is home to nesting birds or is protected by a tree preservation order. You can find out more on the government's website.

Protected hedgerow removal law

As we mentioned above, certain hedges are protected and cannot be removed without permission.

The protected hedgerow removal law states that any hedges that are a certain length, in a specific location, or are considered important cannot be removed without approval.

For example, hedges that are over 20m, next to village greens and of a certain age will be protected. To learn about all the different criteria for protected hedges, please visit this gov.uk page.

Hedges can only be removed if you own the hedge and it’s less than 30 years old, although this may need to be approved by your local planning authority.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Removing countryside hedgerows

Not only are garden hedges protected, but countryside hedges also fall under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. This means removing countryside hedgerows without the proper approval may be classed as a criminal act. Farmers are also not permitted to trim hedges from March 1st to August 31st.

If you are in any doubt about how to proceed, it’s always worth applying to your local planning authority before removing countryside hedgerows.

Is there a boundary hedge removal law?

There is not specifically a 'boundary hedge removal law'. However, there are general rules and guidance in place.

When considering removing a boundary hedge you must have a mutual agreement in place with your neighbour if it's a shared hedge within both of your boundaries.

You will need to check your title deeds to see exactly where the property line is. If the hedge is on your side of the boundary line, you should be within your rights to remove the hedge (providing no other legalities stand in your way).

If you do remove a boundary hedge without permission, your neighbour may choose to take you to court. If you lose, you will be expected to replant the hedge and also pay legal fees.

Before removing a hedge, make sure you review the legal documents you got when you bought your home. You can also buy the documents from the Land Registry if you don’t have them.

And if you're still unsure, you can get help from RICS.

Having trouble with a hedge?

If your garden is affected by a nuisance hedge, a good solution may be professional hedge trimming. This can reduce its height and allow the sun to reach your garden while also improving the appearance of the hedge.

If you need a hedge trimmed, our free search feature will connect you with vetted professionals in your area.

Top tip: Always ensure no birds are nesting in your hedge before proceeding and check you are within your rights to trim the hedge legally.

Wondering how much professional hedge trimming costs? Generally, you can expect to pay an average of £90 per hour. It will usually take from one to three hours depending on the size of your hedge and its accessibility. For more costs and guidance, please see our hedge trimming cost guide.

See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job

Share this article: