FOLLOWING a man being ordered to pay more than £2,000 after refusing to cut down a hedge, The Bolton News has decided to compile a list of what your rights are in regards to four of the most common neighbourly disputes.

Hedges

Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 allows local councils to deal with complaints about high hedges.

The council have to determine whether the height of the high hedge is having an adverse effect on a neighbour’s enjoyment of their home and/or its garden or yard. If it is, then councils can order the owner of a high hedge to take action to put right the problem and stop it from happening again.

This includes hedges more than two metres in height, such as the five metre hedge in James Davies' garden.

In the first instance, people must take "all reasonable steps" to try and settle the dispute without involving the council.

For a full list of how and when you can complain, click here.

Parking

If you do not have a driveway or have multiple cars, then it can be frustrating if people park in front of your home. But is it illegal?

No it is not - unless it is blocking your driveway.

According to the Highway code, the only places people can't park by law are:

  • On a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
  • In a cycle lane
  • On red lines
  • Opposite or within 10 metres of a junction
  • Over a dropped kerb
  • In marked taxi bays
  • In spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders, residents or motorbikes (unless entitled to do so)
  • Near a school entrance
  • Anywhere that would prevent access for Emergency Services
  • At or near a bus/tram stop
  • In front of the entrance to a property

If there is a parking permit scheme in effect on your street and somebody is parked without a permit then this can also be reported.

Noisy neighbours

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils must look into complaints about noise that could be a ‘statutory nuisance’.

For the noise to count as a statutory nuisance it must do one of the following:

  • Unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises
  • Injure health or be likely to injure health

Complaints can also be made about noise above permitted levels between the hours of 11pm and 7am.

There are an in-depth list of conditions listed on the Government website.

Ball games

This depends entirely on the street.

Some streets or fields will have 'No Ball Games' signs and police do have powers under the Highway Act 1980 to issue a fine if a football causes annoyance to users of the highway.

However, the signs themselves are unable to be enforced legally.

If a football is causing a nuisance then call your local policing team on 101 or contact Bolton Council.

In regards to balls being kicked into gardens, there are no clear laws.

If somebody collects it without permission this could be seen as trespassing.

However withholding it from somebody and refusing to give it back could be seen as theft.

In these cases, if it is a recurring issue, the best way is to try and speak to your neighbour about any concerns you have.