Postwar agricultural policy change gradually reversed the loss of hedges and their importance was recognised with the hedgerow regulations 1997. Document history amended by guidance on the application of the hedgerows regulations 1997. Countryside hedgerows guidance note july 20 l hedgerows are distinctive features of the countryside, contributing. It is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission. More detailed guidance is contained 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. A hedgerow management scale has been devised by an organisation called hedgelink uk ranging from 1 to 10.
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. In this case, removal includes digging up and replanting elsewhere, as well as removing from the land completely or. Pdf do the hedgerow regulations protect british hedgerows. Hedgerows can only survive in the long term with correct management. Hedgerow removal notice please state the reasons for the proposed removal of hedgerows. 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. Please state if the hedgerow to be removed is less than 30 years old. 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. The hedgerow regulations 1997 cumbria bap ancient andor speciesrich hedgerows hedgerow survey handbook, defra 2007. It is emphasised that hedgerows have often changed roles in history and current regulations for their protection must. Alternatively, you may download a pdf of the hedgerow removal notice form or request a hard copy by email. These regulations make provision for the protection of important hedgerows in england and wales. Not only are they beautiful, with shifting seasonal colours, but they also benefit wildlife and the wider environment.
Aim to protect important hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal through a system of notification. 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. A hedgerow is important, and is protected, if its at least 30 years old and meets at least one of these criteria. Hedgerows may be classed as important under the regulations and also may be listed as locally important. The regulations apply to any hedgerow growing in, or adjacent to, any common land. 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. Submission of a hedgerow removal application means that the hedgerow can be assessed against. The hedgerows regulations 1997 of england and wales came into effect on 1 june 1997 and. Hedgerows have developed in response to the inherent physical and biological character of the region concerned, in conjunction with cultural factors. A guide to the law and good practice, also from defra. They provide important protection by prohibiting the removal of most countryside hedgerows or parts of them without first notifying the local planning authority lpa. The hedgerow regulations 1997 came into force on the 01 june.
More detailed guidance can be found in the hedgerows regulations 1997. The following information is taken from the leaflet the hedgerows regulations 1997. To get permission to remove a hedgerow you must notify the local planning authority. The hedgerow regulations were made under section 87 of the environment. The hedgerow regulations oadby and wigston borough council. Please state the reference number of the plans to be submitted with this application showing the stretches of hedgerows to be removed. Check if permission required to remove a hedgerow hedgerows. More detailed guidance can be found inthe hedgerows regulations 1997. Hedgerows are distinctive features of the countryside, are often of considerable historic interest and support a great diversity of plant and wildlife species. The hedgerows regulations 1997 were made under section 97 of the. Protection of countryside boundary features and amendment of.
To get permission to remove a hedgerow, you must write to your local planning authority. New rules on hedgerows came into force on 1st june 1997. The hedgerow regulations 1997 came in to force in march 1997. Supporting documents are shown including the hedgerow regulations 1997 a guide to the law and good practice and the hedgerow regulations questions answered. Hedgerow removal notice please state the reasons for the proposed removal of hedgerow s. 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 were introduced in 1997 to help protect hedgerows. This makes it an offence to damage or remove a countryside hedgerow without application to the local planning authority. Here you can download a guide to the hedgerow regulations pdf 4. Protection of countryside boundary features and amendment. Please complete the hedgerow removal form pdf, 252kb and return it to the address at the top of the form. Coverage the system applies to most countryside hedgerows in england and wales.
They introduced arrangement for local planning authorities lpas to protect important countryside hedgerows through a system of notification. 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. They introduced new arrangements for local planning authorities in england and wales to protect important hedgerows in the countryside, by controlling their. Protection of hedgerows the hedgerow regulations were made under section 87 of the environment act 1995 and came into operation on 1 june 1997. 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. 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. The system applies to countryside hedgerows which are 20 metres or. You also do not need permission to remove your hedgerows. Hedgerows are protected by the hedgerows regulations 1997.
These regulations may be cited as the hedgerows regulations 1997 and shall come into force on 1st june 1997. Hedgerows the regulations concerning countryside hedgerow are complex, and if you remove a hedgerow without permission, you may face an unlimited fine and may also have to replace the hedgerow. But the local planning authority might consider that the wider public interest was best served by removal of the hedgerow. Please state the reference number of the plans to be submitted with this application showing the stretches of hedgerow s to be removed. Alternatively you may download copy of the documents below. 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. These regulations, enforced under the environment act 1995, restrict the removal of hedgerows, or parts of hedgerows which are over 20m in length. If the authority decide to prohibit removal of an important hedgerow, it must let you know within 6. Hedgerow regulations faqs the following information is taken from the leaflet the hedgerows regulations.
The local planning authority then has six weeks to give or refuse consent. They aim to protect important hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal through a system of notification. Today, neglect and incorrect management, such as toofrequent trimming, are responsible for more hedgerow loss than outright removal. It was created to protect hedgerows, in particular those in the countryside aged 30 years or older. 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. If you intend to remove an agricultural hedgerow, you must notify mole valley district council mvdc before carrying out the work. The hedgerow was assessed as important in accordance with the hedgerows regulations 1997 wildlife criteria and a uk bap priority habitathabitat of principal importance. 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. 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. For this reason, the hedgerows regulations 1997 specifically exclude any hedgerow which is within, or borders, a domestic garden. Englands hedgerows offer a valuable habitat for wildlife, amongst many other benefits, and were working to protect them and create more. Hedgerows are the vital stitching in the patchwork of our countryside. Legal protection for countryside hedgerows is provided for by the hedgerow regulations 1997. The proposed removal of the hedgerow is acceptable provided that the loss of the hedgerow.
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. Hedgerows habitat action plan worcestershire county council. New rules regarding management of hedgerows came into force in 2015 under cross compliance for further information countryside hedgerows. Further information is contained in the hedgerow regulations your questions answered pdf 424kb. The hedgerow regulations tcv conservation handbooks. Aside from the planning system, hedgerows are offered some protection under the hedgerow regulations 1997 2. 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. To facilitate the protection of those hedgerows, the. 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.
They make provision for the protection of important hedgerows in england and wales. An international perspective on their origin, function and management. 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. If you remove, a hedgerow without permission whether it is important or not. 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. Countryside hedgerows guidance note harrogate borough council. The authority will assess the importance of the hedgerow using criteria set out in the regulations. 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 1997 statutory instrument 1997. 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 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. Hedgerow regulations were introduced for the first time in 1997 and gave. 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.
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