Countryside hedgerows in the UK are protected by law, and it's generally an offence to remove any hedgerow over 20 metres long without giving Oxford City Council 6 weeks' prior written notice.
This notice period allows us to determine if the hedgerow is 'important' due to its ecological or historic value. If deemed 'important', we must issue a Hedgerow Retention Notice (HRN), which prohibits hedgerow removal without our written consent.
To notify us about removing a hedgerow, please provide:
- the location of the hedgerow (by reference to a plan, if necessary)
- specific parts of the hedgerow you plan to remove
- your reason for removal, including any supporting evidence
- ownership details of the hedgerow
Note: Hedgerows that form the boundary of domestic gardens are not protected under this law.
For more details, visit the Protected Hedgerows pages on GOV.UK.
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