How to measure a building distance from a hedge (planning)

[trumansparks]

Hi,
Planning was granted for a building to be erected no closer than 4meters distance from a hedge on our boundary. The building appears to be going up about 3.6 meters from the edge of the hedge but it is 4meters from the trunks of the plants (in the centre) forming the hedge.
My assumption would be that measurements should be 4 meters from the leaves forming the sides of the hedge not the stems in the centre of it.
Could this be confirmed by anyone please?

As a second note, as planning was intially rejected and granted on appeal it came with what appeared quite strict advice to follow the plans and not deviate. would it be better to notify the council now or when built? would the building effectively not have planning permission if built outside of the distances in the plans submitted?


thanks
truman

 

[tony1851]

No; boundary distance is measured from the centreline of the hedge, not the leaves.
Conditions on a planning approval often come with a stipulation that the work must be done in strict accordance with the plans.
If they are building 4m from the stems of the hedge, they have done nothing wrong in that respect.

 

[trumansparks]

Cheers for that Tony

Nothing is ever obvious in planning! Reference was always made to be 4 meter's from the hedge in discussions and as lay members of public the reality is different to what we feel we were "sold".

Thanks for your help.

truman

 

[Diyisfun]

Think about it!!!!! If it wasnt from the centre (trunk), you could allow a branch to grow & even train it down so it was 2mtrs closer.
(If you have a shared drive, its the centre line).

 

[trumansparks]

can certainly see the logic of it but it does bring a building half a meter closer to us than was suggested by those involved. no biggy, just trying to clarify details.

 

[^woody^]

I find it odd that a planning condition would refer to a hedge - which is difficult at best to define as a reference, and not a more definite boundary line

 

[Diyisfun]

I find it odd that a planning condition would refer to a hedge - which is difficult at best to define as a reference, and not a more definite boundary line

With todays technology you would expect it all to be by gps grid ref.
If all applications to the council were given exact coordinates. it would get the job done on a sloooow rolling progression.