CARELESS or inconsiderate gardeners could be the next target of anti-social behaviour orders, which are set to be introduced Dorset-wide next year.

The scope of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 is being broadened to include gardeners who allow their hedges or leylandii to overshadow neighbour's gardens.

The "nuisance hedges" section is already mentioned in the act but home secretary David Blunkett has now sent officials to local authorities to encourage the use of ASBOS.

The orders would apply to homeowners whose hedges or trees grow higher than two metres.

The council will only get involved when hedges are evergreen or the garden consists of two or more trees and affects the "reasonable enjoyment" of the neighbour.

If the neighbour fails to comply with an authority's request to have it cut down, the council can apply to magistrates for an ASBO.

The news was welcomed by Talbot Woods resident Peter Tebbit who has been campaigning to get a "high hedges" private member's bill introduced in Parliament.

It won't however help him in his own private dispute.

"My neighbour has died and his mother is 90 years old and in a nursing home so the house is currently empty. There's nothing I can do unless the house is sold or someone moves in," he said.

When he complained to his neighbour back in 1996, he received a letter from solicitors stating that the trees were not causing any problems.

He claimed the 60ft trees were blocking out the light and causing the rooms in his house to remain cold.

Bob Johnson, control manager for Bournemouth Borough Council's planning department, said: "There are always going to be cases where neighbours cannot agree over the height of trees and hedges.

"The Anti-Social Behaviour Act, gives local authorities powers to mediate in certain cases."

Sir John Butterfill MP, campaigner on high hedges issues, said: "I am in favour of a restriction. These hedges have been the cause of all sorts of disputes between neighbours."

First published: September 10