Rooker considers legislation to tackle nuisance hedges

Environment Minister Jeff Rooker is considering whether to introduce legislation aimed at dealing with high hedges problems in Northern Ireland.

New legislation has come into operation recently in England and Wales enabling local authorities to intervene in high hedge disputes which neighbours have been unable to resolve.

Mr Rooker said he wanted to find out if Northern Ireland needed similar legislation to deal with the problem here.

"High hedges can block out the light into a neighbour’s home and garden and darken their lives," the Minister said.

"My aim in this consultation is to find out whether such legislation is required here."

The legislation to give local councils in England and Wales the powers to deal with complaints about high hedges is contained in Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

The consultation paper and accompanying questionnaire for Northern Ireland are available on the Planning Service website at www.planningni.gov.uk or can be obtained by calling 028 9041 6966. The public consultation will end on 26 October 2005.

(MB/SP)