Breaking these garden laws could cost you £20,000

Britons are being warned they could be unknowingly breaking garden laws.

Garden pros from Garden Buildings Direct have shared six little known gardening laws for Brits to brush up on.

Britons are being warned they could be unknowingly breaking garden laws.

Garden pros from Garden Buildings Direct have shared six little known gardening laws for Brits to brush up on.

Thousands of British gardeners are at risk of becoming unwitting criminals due to a lack of knowledge of basic gardening laws, experts have claimed.

Now experts from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have published the top seven little known gardening laws to help Britons understand what they should and shouldn’t do in their gardens.

The list covers common issues such as overhanging branches, boundary disputes, blocked sunlight and wind fallen fruit, among others.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect said: “Many homeowners may be completely unaware of the laws and guidance protecting their outdoor space.

“Avoid neighbourly disagreements and breaking garden laws by brushing up on guidance. Many people will know to avoid planting invasive species, as doing so could actually be breaking the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“Blocking a neighbour’s windows could also get you into trouble, depending on the circumstances. If a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, you aren’t allowed to block the light by planting a large tree.

“We have shared other laws surrounding garden building permissions, hedge boundaries and hedge trimmings.”

1. Garden buildings 

If your garden building or summer house takes up more than 50% of the area of land around your home, exceeds 2.5 metres in height, or will be used as a self-contained living accommodation, it will not be considered a Permitted Development and will require planning permission.

2. Blocking light 

Under the Rights of Light Act, if a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, neighbours can’t block it with a new tree.

3. Hedge boundaries 

If a hedge in your garden grows along the boundary between yours and your neighbours properties, you are both responsible for keeping it maintained and trimmed. If a neighbour’s hedge grows into your garden, you can trim it, but must return the trimmings to the owner.

4. Trimming flowers and fruits 

Although you are legally able to cut branches that hang into your garden up to your property line, they still belong to your neighbour. This means your neighbour is legally entitled to demand any trimmings you cut off the branches.

5. Removing protected trees 

Carrying out any work or damaging protected trees without proper authorisation is an offence. Important trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which restricts homeowners from being able to remove or prune them, even if they are in their own garden. Disturbing a tree protected by a TPO without proper permissions could lead to a fine of up to £20,000.

6. Planting anything invasive

A number of non-native species are covered by legislation. Many of them, like Japanese Knotweed, will spread and can cause damage to properties. It may even spread to neighbours gardens. Introducing invasive plants into your garden can be against the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Thousands of British gardeners are at risk of becoming unwitting criminals due to a lack of knowledge of basic gardening laws, experts have claimed.

Now experts from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have published the top seven little known gardening laws to help Britons understand what they should and shouldn’t do in their gardens.

The list covers common issues such as overhanging branches, boundary disputes, blocked sunlight and wind fallen fruit, among others.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect said: “Many homeowners may be completely unaware of the laws and guidance protecting their outdoor space.

“Avoid neighbourly disagreements and breaking garden laws by brushing up on guidance. Many people will know to avoid planting invasive species, as doing so could actually be breaking the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“Blocking a neighbour’s windows could also get you into trouble, depending on the circumstances. If a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, you aren’t allowed to block the light by planting a large tree.

“We have shared other laws surrounding garden building permissions, hedge boundaries and hedge trimmings.”

1. Garden buildings 

If your garden building or summer house takes up more than 50% of the area of land around your home, exceeds 2.5 metres in height, or will be used as a self-contained living accommodation, it will not be considered a Permitted Development and will require planning permission.

2. Blocking light 

Under the Rights of Light Act, if a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, neighbours can’t block it with a new tree.

3. Hedge boundaries 

If a hedge in your garden grows along the boundary between yours and your neighbours properties, you are both responsible for keeping it maintained and trimmed. If a neighbour’s hedge grows into your garden, you can trim it, but must return the trimmings to the owner.

4. Trimming flowers and fruits 

Although you are legally able to cut branches that hang into your garden up to your property line, they still belong to your neighbour. This means your neighbour is legally entitled to demand any trimmings you cut off the branches.

5. Removing protected trees 

Carrying out any work or damaging protected trees without proper authorisation is an offence. Important trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), which restricts homeowners from being able to remove or prune them, even if they are in their own garden. Disturbing a tree protected by a TPO without proper permissions could lead to a fine of up to £20,000.

6. Planting anything invasive

A number of non-native species are covered by legislation. Many of them, like Japanese Knotweed, will spread and can cause damage to properties. It may even spread to neighbours gardens. Introducing invasive plants into your garden can be against the law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.