for uk farmers - legal point?

Question

I have been asked by local coucil to cut my hedge- I do it every year but this year I thought was a borderline case wasnt overhanging -touching traffic etc so left it to do next year.

Do they have any legal powers to make me do it ?

Thay also say I should take away debris-ive never seen local farmers do that its left up to wind and rain to disperse- have they got legal rights there ?
I think this is beaurocracy gone mad !

Answer 1

Call your debris pile a compost pile. Tell the gvmt that the hedges help reduce global warming.

Contact your local news papers and television stations. Tell them that your local government is contributing to global warming.

That should give you some time.

Answer 2

Not farmers but smallholders in UK. In my opinion, this really is not worth going head to head with your local council over. Do you really want to waste hours of your time writing letters and making appeals when it will only take a few hours to cut your hedge now and they will in all likely hood win and eventually force you to cut it anyway?

The local farmers all take away debris in this area, I understand that there is legislation to ensure that you do.
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4762

It is likely that the involvement of the Local Council has been initiated by a complaint from a member of the public/a neighbour. This is usually how these things start. If this might be the case be very careful, again I suggest that you just cut the hedge. You do not want Tree Preservation Orders etc etc placed on your land particularly if you live in a residential setting, amazing what a vindictive neighbour can start!!!

The other angle is that if you hedge does cause damage, to say, someone's car, then you will be liable. Insurance policies are usually void if you have failed to take preventative action, as your council is involved this is easily provable for the Insurance Company. So my advice is cut your hedge and put it down to 'one of those things'.