Question reference: S6W-17365
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 27 April 2023
-
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 10 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to any appeals under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 considered by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals from January to March 2023, how many were (a) dismissed as "no remit" and (b) decided upon and (i) referred to the 2019 guidance and its requirement to consider spacing, maintenance and intention in arriving at a decision that trees and shrubs in a row did not form a hedge and (ii) excluded deciduous trees from high hedge notices issued by local authorities.
Answer
High hedge appeals are delegated to appointed reporters to make decisions on Scottish Ministers behalf.
DPEA received 8 high hedge appeals from January to March 2023, of which 2 were dismissed as "no remit" and 6 were decided upon by independent reporters.
Within these decisions, 2 referred to the 2019 guidance and its requirement to consider spacing, maintenance and intention in arriving at a decision that trees and shrubs in a row did not form a hedge and 2 excluded deciduous trees from high hedge notices issued by local authorities.