Vol. 533 No. 3
227 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if there are any regulations or sections under planning or other regulations to force a householder to remove or trim a hedge in their front garden; the maximum height in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/01]
Under section 44 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, a local authority can serve a notice on the owner or occupier of land requiring that a hedge be removed or altered in the interests of amenity. A notice under this section may be appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Under the Roads Act, 1993, landowners and occupiers of land can be required by the local authority to cut back trees, hedges and other vegetation to remove or prevent any danger to those using or working on a public road. Where there is an immediate and serious risk to road users, the authority can act at once to remove or reduce the danger. Where a dispute arises between neighbours as to the height of a particular hedge on a person's private property, this is a matter to be resolved between the parties concerned.
