It is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission. If you remove, a hedgerow without permission whether it is important or not. On receipt of a hedgerow removal notification the authority has 6 weeks in which to determine whether the hedgerow can be classed as important as defined by the hedgerows regulations 1997. Postwar agricultural policy change gradually reversed the loss of hedges and their importance was recognised with the hedgerow regulations 1997. Englands hedgerows offer a valuable habitat for wildlife, amongst many other benefits, and were working to protect them and create more.
Hedgerows may be classed as important under the regulations and also may be listed as locally important. It was created to protect hedgerows, in particular those in the countryside aged 30 years or older. The hedgerow regulations tcv conservation handbooks. A guide to the law and good practice, also from defra. Coverage the system applies to most countryside hedgerows in england and wales. Hedgerow removal notice please state the reasons for the proposed removal of hedgerows. Hedgerows are distinctive features of the countryside, are often of considerable historic interest and support a great diversity of plant and wildlife species.
It is emphasised that hedgerows have often changed roles in history and current regulations for their protection must. The hedgerow regulations 1997 came into force on the 01 june. The hedgerows regulations 1997 were made under section 97 of the environment act 1995 and came into operation in england and wales on 1 june 1997. More detailed guidance is contained in the hedgerows regulations 1997. These regulations make provision for the protection of important hedgerows in england and wales. The regulations apply to any hedgerow growing in, or adjacent to, any common land. To facilitate the protection of those hedgerows, the. Legal protection for countryside hedgerows is provided for by the hedgerow regulations 1997. Although written primarily for local planning authorities, it is also a useful point of reference for others interested in, or whose interests are likely to be affected by, the regulations. To facilitate the protection of those hedgerows, the regulations apply to a wider class of hedgerows, described in regulation 3 in particular to hedgerows which are 20 metres or more long or which meet another hedgerow at each end and which, in each case, are on or adjacent to land used for. If you intend to remove an agricultural hedgerow, you must notify mole valley district council mvdc before carrying out the work.
Hedgerows in the countryside, and their conservation, is a quite different subject from the management and regulation of hedges around houses, and, more specifically, between neighbours. Alternatively, you may download a pdf of the hedgerow removal notice form or request a hard copy by email. The hedgerows regulations 1997 of england and wales came into effect on 1 june 1997 and is government legislation which falls under the environment act 1995. The hedgerows regulations 1997 were made under section 97 of the. They provide important protection by prohibiting the removal of most countryside hedgerows or parts of them without first notifying the local planning authority lpa. Protection of hedgerows the hedgerow regulations were made under section 87 of the environment act 1995 and came into operation on 1 june 1997. They aim to protect important hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal through a system of notification.
Supporting documents are shown including the hedgerow regulations 1997 a guide to the law and good practice and the hedgerow regulations questions answered. Hedgerows can only survive in the long term with correct management. This complex mechanism offers some protection for hedgerows of more than 20 metres in length or which join other hedgerows provided they adjoin agricultural land, forestry, paddocks, common land, village greens, a site of special. This makes it an offence to damage or remove a countryside hedgerow without application to the local planning authority. Protection of countryside boundary features and amendment of. You also do not need permission to remove your hedgerows. Document history amended by guidance on the application of the hedgerows regulations 1997. Hedgerow regulations faqs the following information is taken from the leaflet the hedgerows regulations. Today, neglect and incorrect management, such as toofrequent trimming, are responsible for more hedgerow loss than outright removal.
More detailed guidance can be found inthe hedgerows regulations 1997. Please complete the hedgerow removal form pdf, 252kb and return it to the address at the top of the form. Hedgerows have developed in response to the inherent physical and biological character of the region concerned, in conjunction with cultural factors. Hedgerows are the vital stitching in the patchwork of our countryside. Hedgerows form important green highways in our landscape and they may be protected under the hedgerow regulations 1997 cs ecology has undertaken hundreds of hedgerow surveys in association with habitat surveys for linear projects such as road or pipeline schemes.
Protection of countryside boundary features and amendment. The hedgerow regulations were made under section 87 of the environment. The hedgerow regulations 1997 statutory instrument 1997. They introduced arrangement for local planning authorities lpas to protect important countryside hedgerows through a system of notification. The hedgerows regulations 1997 of england and wales came into effect on 1 june 1997 and. The local planning authority then has six weeks to give or refuse consent. Since the legislation came into effect it is a criminal offence to remove a hedgerow in contravention to the regulations. New rules on hedgerows came into force on 1st june 1997. To get permission to remove a hedgerow you must notify the local planning authority. These regulations apply to any hedgerow growing in or adjacent to any common land, protected land or land used for forestry, agriculture or the breeding or keeping of horses. Sep 11, 2014 a hedgerow is important, and is protected, if its at least 30 years old and meets at least one of these criteria.
Please state the reference number of the plans to be submitted with this application showing the stretches of hedgerows to be removed. Here you can download a guide to the hedgerow regulations pdf 4. The hedgerow regulations 1997 require that before the removal of certain hedgerows, the local planning authority must be notified of that removal by the submission of a hedgerow removal notice. Hedgerow regulations as hedgerows are protected by law, if you wish to remove one in the countryside you must apply to the council under the hedgerow regulations 1997. The hedgerow regulations were introduced in 1997 to help protect hedgerows. To facilitate the protection of those hedgerows, the regulations apply to a wider class of hedgerows, described in regulation 3 in particular to hedgerows which are 20 metres or more long or which meet another hedgerow at each end and which, in each case, are on or adjacent. Further information is contained in the hedgerow regulations your questions answered pdf 424kb. Aside from the planning system, hedgerows are offered some protection under the hedgerow regulations 1997 2. The following information is taken from the leaflet the hedgerows regulations 1997. To get permission to remove a hedgerow, you must write to your local planning authority. For a hedgerow to be important it must be 30 years and satisfy at least one of the archaeological, historical or ecological criteria listed in. New rules regarding management of hedgerows came into force in 2015 under cross compliance for further information countryside hedgerows.
Mar 23, 20 supporting documents are shown including the hedgerow regulations 1997 a guide to the law and good practice and the hedgerow regulations questions answered. The hedgerow regulations 1997 cumbria bap ancient andor speciesrich hedgerows hedgerow survey handbook, defra 2007. The hedgerow regulations 1997 were made under section 97 of the environment act 1995 and took effect on 1 june 1997. Hedgerow regulations were introduced for the first time in 1997 and gave limited protection io those hedgerows in england and wales that were classed as important. These regulations, enforced under the environment act 1995, restrict the removal of hedgerows, or parts of hedgerows which are over 20m in length. Alternatively you may download copy of the documents below. For this reason, the hedgerows regulations 1997 specifically exclude any hedgerow which is within, or borders, a domestic garden. To get permission to a hedgevow, you must your if the authority to prohibit removal of an important hedgerow, it must let you know 6 weeks. Remember, you are required to give the council six weeks notice if you intend to remove the hedgerow and failure to do so is a criminal offence. More detailed guidance can be found in the hedgerows regulations 1997. Any development that may impact upon hedgerow habitat, or its species interests, would require an assessment of the likely effects on the habitatspecies and, as necessary, appropriate protection and mitigation measures. The authority will assess the importance of the hedgerow using criteria set out in the regulations. Hedgerows are protected by the hedgerows regulations 1997.
Submission of a hedgerow removal application means that the hedgerow can be assessed against. Hedgerow regulations were introduced for the first time in 1997 and gave. Please state if the hedgerow to be removed is less than 30 years old. Not only are they beautiful, with shifting seasonal colours, but they also benefit wildlife and the wider environment. Pdf do the hedgerow regulations protect british hedgerows.
Check if permission required to remove a hedgerow hedgerows. The hedgerows regulations 1997 publication of planning applications on council websites please note that with the exception of applicant contact details and certificates of ownership, the information provided on this. The system applies to countryside hedgerows which are 20 metres or. Act, hereby make the following regulations, a draft of which has been laid before, and has been approved by resolution of, both houses of parliament. A hedgerow is important, and is protected, if its at least 30 years old and meets at least one of these criteria. These regulations may be cited as the hedgerows regulations 1997 and shall come into force on 1st june 1997. Hedgerow removal notice please state the reasons for the proposed removal of hedgerow s.
A hedgerow management scale has been devised by an organisation called hedgelink uk ranging from 1 to 10. An international perspective on their origin, function and management. Countryside hedgerows guidance note july 20 l hedgerows are distinctive features of the countryside, contributing. Sample specification download sample specifications and see whats possible with nbs chorus case studies find out how our customers use our software and services authors meet some of our specialists and contributors training.
The hedgerow was assessed as important in accordance with the hedgerows regulations 1997 wildlife criteria and a uk bap priority habitathabitat of principal importance. They make provision for the protection of important hedgerows in england and wales. The hedgerow regulations 1997 came in to force in march 1997. Under the hedgerow regulations 1997 you need to notify us if you wish to remove uproot or destroy a hedgerow that grows in, or adjacent to any common land, local nature reserve, site of special scientific interest, or land used for agriculture, forestry, or for the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys and. But the local planning authority might consider that the wider public interest was best served by removal of the hedgerow. The hedgerow regulations oadby and wigston borough council.
Countryside hedgerows guidance note harrogate borough council. In this case, removal includes digging up and replanting elsewhere, as well as removing from the land completely or. They introduced new arrangements for local planning authorities in england and wales to protect important hedgerows in the countryside, by controlling their. If the authority decide to prohibit removal of an important hedgerow, it must let you know within 6. Hedgerows habitat action plan worcestershire county council.
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