Protected Hedgerows

Countryside hedgerows are protected. In general, it is an offence under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 for anyone to remove a hedgerow that is more than 20 metres long without giving the Council six weeks prior written notice. The notice is for the Council to decide if the hedgerow has sufficient ecological or historic value to be "important". If the hedgerow is assessed as being "important" the Council must serve a Hedgerow Retention Notice (HRN), which prevents removal of a hedgerow without the Council's written consent. To give notice of the removal of a hedgerow contact the Tree Officer with the following information:

• Details of the location of the hedgerow to which the hedgerow removal notice relates, by reference to a plan if necessary
• Details of the parts of the hedgerow that it is proposed to remove, by reference to a plan if necessary
• Reason for proposed work, with reference to supporting evidence if necessary
• Details of ownership of the hedgerow

It should be noted that hedgerows that form the boundary of domestic gardens are not protected.

Page last reviewed 7 Apr 2008

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