Countryside hedgerows

Hedgerows are a vital part of our landscape, contribute to local biodiversity and provide important wildlife corridors connecting the wider landscape. Many hedgerows contain a great diversity of plant and wildlife species, and are of considerable historic importance, forming part of historic field systems (pre-1845) and parish boundaries.

The number of hedgerows has declined notably in the last century. Figures published by The Woodland Trust indicate that 118,000 miles of hedgerow have disappeared since 1950. Whilst loss has slowed since the 1990’s, the levels of neglect, damage and removal remain significant, leading to a decline in plant and animal species.

The hedgerow regulations

Countryside hedgerows are protected by The Hedgerow Regulations 1997. The regulations recognise the importance of hedgerows and aim to control their removal.

Do I need permission to remove a hedgerow?

A countryside hedgerow is protected, meaning you cannot remove it, if it is:

• more than 20m long with gaps of 20m or less in its length
• less than 20m long, but meets another hedge at each end

on or next to:

• land used for agriculture or forestry
• land used for breeding or keeping horses, ponies or donkeys
• common land
• a village green
• a site of special scientific interest
• a protected European site such as a special area of conservation or special protection area
• a local or national nature reserve
• land belonging to the state

A hedgerow is not protected if it is in or marks the boundary of a private garden. There are certain other exceptions that do not require permission, but it is advisable to consult us before undertaking any works.

How do I apply to remove a hedgerow?

Anybody proposing to remove all or part of a hedgerow must notify the council using a hedgerow removal notice. The notice must be submitted by the owner of the land, or tenant. There are no fees for consent to carry out work to a hedgerow.

Notifications can be submitted online via the Planning Portal or by completing the Application for Hedgerow Removal Notice . Please ensure that you include all the information requested within the form, and clearly identify the hedgerow you propose to remove on a site plan.

Before making an application, please read the hedgerow removal application guidance notes .

What happens once we’ve received your notification

Once you have submitted your notification and we have all the information we require, we will acknowledge receipt of your notification, consult the relevant parish council, and publish it on our planning website. A site visit will then be carried out so we can survey the hedgerow to establish whether it is ‘important’. If further detail or amendments are required, these will be discussed with the applicant.

We then have two options:

• issue a written notice stating that the hedgerow may be removed.
• Issue a hedgerow retention notice specifying the work which may not be carried out.

You will be informed of our decision within 42 days. The 42 day period may be extended with the applicants agreement.

What is an ‘important’ hedgerow?

A hedgerow is important (and therefore protected) if it is at least 30 years old and meets at least one of these criteria:

• marks all or part of a parish boundary that existed before 1850
• contains an archaeological feature such as a scheduled monument
• is completely or partly in or next to an archaeological site listed on a Historic Environment Record (formerly a Sites and Monuments Record)
• marks the boundary of an estate or manor or looks to be related to any building or other feature that is part of the estate or manor that existed before 1600
• is part of a field system or looks to be related to any building or other feature associated with the field system that existed before the Inclosure Acts (that is before 1845)
• contains protected species listed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• contains species that are endangered, vulnerable, and rare and identified in the British Red Data books
• includes woody species and associated features as specified in Schedule 1, Part II Criteria, paragraph 7(1) of the regulations. The number of woody species needed to meet the criteria is one less in northern counties.

Carrying out work without giving notice

Under the regulations, it is a criminal offence to remove a hedgerow without permission, and you could face a fine. We may also serve notice on the owner of the land or tenant to plant another hedgerow, irrespective of any criminal proceedings.

Further advice

GOV.UK: Countryside hedgerows: protection and management

If you would like additional guidance, please contact us.

Last updated: 15 March 2023