Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

New legislation came into force on 01 June.
Under this legislation the district council has a role (as a last resort) in seeking to resolve disputes between landowners about high (over 2 metres) evergreen hedgerows.

An Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) publication entitled 'High Hedges: Complaining to the Council' and a complaint form is available from planning reception at the council offices in Bradley Road. It explains what will happen if the Council is involved and the powers available under Part 8 of the Anti- Social Behaviour Act 2003. Information about high hedges will be added to the council website in due course.

There has been some discussion in the press about the level of charges being set by councils for complaints. The level of fee is at the discretion of the local authority and there is no other source of income to cover the cost of this new service. West Wiltshire has set the fee at £345. This figure has been worked out on the basis of the tree and landscape officer's time needed to take one of these cases through its various stages.

£345 puts West Wiltshire at the lower end of the mid range of fees for 29 authorities listed on the Hedgeline website.