Commentary on Sections High hedge notices Section 8 – High hedge notice
22.This section provides that where the local authority decides that initial action should be taken it must issue a high hedge notice. The high hedge notice should be issued as soon as reasonably practicable after the decision.
23.Subsection (2) lists what a high hedge notice must state. This includes identification of the hedge and the date on which the notice is to take effect. This must be at least 28 days after the date on which the notice is issued, so as to allow time for an appeal under section 12 to be made.
24.The notice must also specify the initial action and the compliance period for that action and any preventative action following that period required to be carried out.
25.The notice must also outline the right of appeal and the consequences of failure to comply with the notice. These are that the local authority has power to go in and take action itself, recovering the expenses of that action from the hedge owner.
26.Subsections (4) and (5) require the local authority to send a copy of the high hedge notice to the applicant and every owner and occupier of the neighbouring land, giving reasons for its decision.
27.Subsection (6) requires a local authority, where a high hedge is situated on land which has been designated as a National Park, to send a copy of the high hedge notice to the relevant National Park authority.