Tuppence to feed the birds? The phrase made famous by Mary Poppins can have a whole different meaning for gardeners.
Depending on where you live and what you do, the legality of feeding pigeons at home is not as straightforward as it seems.
It is not against the law to feed pigeons in the UK.
However, councils can pass their own laws if pigeon populations have become a pest.
Pigeons can become pests if they cause problems for people.
For instance, bird droppings can cause structural damage and masonry corrosion because of their acidic pH.
When it rains, droppings on pavements can also become slick and dangerous for pedestrians.
Additionally, neighbours may not appreciate pigeons nesting or roosting in their homes.
Feeding one or two pigeons – or any other birds is harmless.
Pigeons become a problem if there are multiple birds.
Excessive bird gatherings linked to specific gardens have been deemed “anti-social behaviour” under the Community Protection Notice (CPN) scheme.
This could result in a £100 fine and an order to stop feeding.
It is not illegal to feed animals in your garden, but there are acts in place that can discourage you from doing so.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ensures humans are not allowed to harm animals in any way.
One of the ways animals could be harmed is by feeding them human food.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 states that if persistent feeding of wild birds such as pigeons and gulls is unreasonable and harmful to the local community’s quality of life authorities can get involved.
Authorities can use the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to issue Public Space Protection Orders or Community Protection Orders to prevent people from feeding animals in their gardens.
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
