Stage 1 scrutiny by the Local Government and Regeneration Committee
The High Hedges (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 2 October 2012.
The Policy Memorandum which accompanies the Bill states that the principal policy objective of the Bill is “to provide a solution to the problem of high hedges which interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of domestic property”.
In summary, the Bill seeks to do this by:
- defining a high hedge as one which is wholly or mainly formed by a row of two or more evergreen or semi evergreen trees or shrubs which is over two metres in height and forms a barrier to light;
- providing an effective means of resolving disputes over the effects of a high hedge where the issue has not been able to be resolved amicably between neighbours. It does so by giving home owners and occupiers a right to apply to a local authority where it is considered a high hedge is affecting the enjoyment of their property, and empowers local authorities to make and enforce decisions in relation to high hedges;
- enabling a local authority to issue a high hedge notice where, having taken all the circumstances into account, it finds that a hedge is having an adverse effect. A high hedge notice may require a hedge owner to take action to remedy the problem and prevent it recurring;
- making provision for both the applicant and the hedge owner to appeal against a decision to issue/not issue a high hedge notice;
- providing local authorities with the power to undertake the work specified in a high hedge notice, if the notice is not complied with by the hedge owner within the time specified;
- The Bill enables local authorities to recover the costs of any such enforcement from the hedge-owner and to charge a fee for applications for a high hedge notice.
Timetable
The Local Government and Regeneration Committee's call for written evidence on the Bill ran from 5 October to 29 November 2012.
The call for evidence is now closed.
Bill lodged in the Parliament - Tuesday 2 October 2012
Start of Stage 1 call for evidence - Friday 5 October 2012
Closing date for call for evidence - Thursday 29 November 2012
Oral evidence taken by the Committee - Wednesday 5; 12 and 19 December 2012
Stage 1 report published - Monday 28 January 2013
Stage 1 debate held in the Parliament - Tuesday 5 February 2013 (Bill approved at Stage 1)
Stage 2 proceedings in the Committee - Wednesday 6 March 2013 (Bill amended at Stage 2)
Stage 3 proceedings in the Parliament - Thursday 28 March 2013
Evidence
Written evidence
The Committee's call for evidence ran from 5 October to 29 November 2012.
The call for evidence is now closed.
Read the call for evidence
Read the news release on the call for evidence
Submissions received in response to the call for written evidence
Report
The Committee published its Stage 1 report on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill on 28 January 2013.
Local Government and Regeneration Committee, 3rd Report, 2013 (Session 4): Stage 1 Report on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill (SP Paper 256)
The Minister for Local Government and Planning responded to the Committee's Stage 1 report on 31 January 2013.
Scottish Government response to Stage 1 report on High Hedges (Scotland) Bill (13KB pdf)
Debate
The Stage 1 debate on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill took place on Tuesday 5 February 2013.
Debate on the Bill as amended at Stage 3 will take place on Thursday 28 March 2013.
For Committee information, contact:
Seán Wixted: 0131 348 5223
[email protected]
Fiona Mullen: 0131 348 5237
[email protected]
David Cullum: 0131 348 5217
[email protected]
For media information, contact:
Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6265
[email protected]