Neighbour's huge conifer hedge

[Hairydogmummy]

Has anyone any experience of getting an order to make a neighbour cut a very high hedge? I know it's possible and that a conifer hedge over 2m is something that you can get an order on but how easy is it? We really want to buy a house but the conifer hedge which must be 4m high at least blocks all the afternoon sun to the garden. The vendors reckon it's not a problem and they would cut it if asked but I suspect it is a problem otherwise why is it still there? No one puts up with that surely? They have trimmed their side where it overhangs but that's all you can legally do. There are a couple of other potential issues as well such as needing to knock down a brick outbuilding to get access to the rear otherwise it's just allocated parking. It's grade 2 listed so we know there will be issues and expense with that. It's definitely a heart purchase!

Not me, but my parents were successful with a high hedge order which was carried out as soon as lockdown ended. To complicate it, the house was sold with the order in place but not carried out, and the new owners had to ensure it was carried out. Apparently they said they would’ve done it anyway and are really pleased with the outcome.
This was in a London borough council; I think it cost my parents about £800 to get the order, but it did take about two years.

I can’t believe anyone would buy a property with a plan to take legal enforcement action against neighbours they’ve never even spoke too. But apparently they would.

They probably have it for privacy so that don’t have to feel like they are living in a goldish bowl.

Do not assume you can knock down the outbuilding. Just because it it is newer than original build it is likely to be still covered by listing.

Consider issue sounds like a deal breaker. If it was do-able seller wouldn’t have paid them to do it already.

Do not walk into a minefield.