Hedge cutting in the UK is not as simple as getting a cutter and trimming things down to your desired length. Instead, it is governed by a very particular set of laws that, if not followed to the tee, can probably land you in hot water with the government authorities. This article will explore all the laws that govern hedge cutting in the UK, along with some useful tips that might come in handy as you get to the actual cutting part.
So, let’s jump in!
Hedge Cutting Laws in the UK: The Basics
Before we get into describing the laws, it’s essential to know the legal frameworks that provide a base for these laws. Let’s have a look:
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: The act prohibits cutting during nesting season, unless and until you’re sure there are no active nests.
- Hedgerows Regulations 1997: Some, if not all, hedges are protected and will require permission before you start cutting them.
- Ownership: You have to make sure you have complete ownership of the property, or at least permission to maintain or alter the hedge.
- Local Council By-Laws: Based on where you live, there could be further restrictions on how to maintain and cut hedges.
UK Hedge Cutting Laws in a Nutshell
Now that you know what governs the hedge cutting laws, let’s have a look at some general laws related to hedge cutting in the simplest words:
- A hedge is considered high if it’s over 2 meters tall or blocks light or access to neighbors’ property.
- Hedges should not be cut between March 1 and August 31, as this is peak nesting season, unless there’s a health and safety risk or if the hedge is an urban garden where no birds are nesting.
- You must not let your hedges overhang onto roads, pavements, and neighboring properties.
- If your hedges obstruct any public path or visibility, the authorities can issue you a notice to trim them off.
- If any of the overgrowths from your hedge cause any kind of harm, it will be considered criminal damage.
- Protected hedgerows under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 cannot be removed without permission, and removing one without consent could lead to fines or potential restoration orders.
These were all the important laws related to hedge cutting in a nutshell. Looking at these, you might ask: why so many laws just around hedge cutting?
Well, there are reasons for that. Let’s have a look at some of those:
Why So Many Laws Around Hedgecutting?
Other than the wildlife protection during the nesting season, there are other practical reasons for why you should only cut your hedges only in the designated time, including but not limited to:
- Biodiversity preservation: You might know or not, but your hedges host a mini-ecosystem, hosting different kinds of insects and pollinators. Aggressive or regular cutting can disrupt these habitats, affecting many natural processes like pollination, and, …yup, pest control!
- Dispute prevention: Laws that prevent overhanging or overly high hedges exist in order to prevent any kind of disputes or conflicts between neighbors. Plus, to ensure no property’s light, access, and view are blocked due to big hedges in the way.
- Balancing Property Rights and Environmental Responsibility: Such laws ensure that everyone uses their private property rights without abuse. In other words, you can manage your hedge as you like, but not at the cost of wildlife disturbance or enjoyment of your neighbor.
- Ensuring Public Safety: Overgrown hedges can increase the chances of road accidents by blocking road signs, traffic signs, or, in some cases, even pavements. With such laws in place, they ensure that everyone driving, riding, and walking on the roads is safe.
Penalties You Can Face if You Cut Hedges Outside the Legal Timeframe:
If you don’t follow the laws related to hedge cutting, you could face multiple penalties. For example, if you are a common citizen, the most common penalty you can face is fines issued by the local council. However, if you are a farmer, the breach could be treated more severely, with penalties that go as far as loss of agricultural subsidies. Following such laws is not only essential to protect wildlife and the environment but also to avoid heavy penalties that could have you end up paying huge fines or losing your subsidies.
Some Simple Tips to Ensure the Perfect, Legally Compliant Hedgecutting
Here’s what you need to do to plan the perfect hedge-cutting schedule, without violating any laws:
- Make all the pruning plans between September and February: Well, that’s pretty obvious. Making pruning plans between these months ensures you have your hedges pruned perfectly without the fear of violating any laws.
- Always Check for Nesting Birds: Even when it’s not nesting season, it’s always good to look for any nesting birds before you start cutting. You don’t want to disturb wildlife at any cost.
- No Compromise on Stability: Top-heavy growth means leggy hedges. Therefore, as you cut your hedges, make sure to cut the top a little narrower to ensure the sunlight reaches the lower parts. This ensures your hedges grow optimally and evenly.
- Make Regular Maintenance a Part of Your Routine: By making regular pruning a part of your routine, your hedges will need little to no cutting throughout the year, helping you stay compliant with the laws while maintaining exquisite hedges that look great and are never overgrown.
Conclusion
Laws, even when related to something as simple as hedge cutting, must be followed to avoid any kind of legal mishaps. We wrote this article to give you a general idea of all the important laws in place to ensure you don’t fall into any legal troubles as you run blades on your overgrown hedges. We hope this piece has been helpful for you to understand hedge height regulations and laws. See you with another helpful article.