Trees and Hedges

Hedgerows

Hedgerows are distinctive features of our countryside and of considerable historical and wildlife habitat value. They make a positive contribution to the character, biodiversity and interest to the landscape.

The Hedgerow Regulations came into operation on 1997 and introduced new arrangements for Local Authorities to protect important hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal through a system of notification.

The system applies to most countryside hedgerows, which are at least 20 metres or more long, or which meet another hedgerow at each end. All these hedgerows must be on, or adjoining land used for agriculture or forestry, the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys; common land, village greens, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Nature Reserves.

Garden Hedges or hedges that form the curtilage of a dwelling house are not affected.

If you want to remove a hedgerow you must fill in this application form via the Planning Portal:

• Hedgerow Removal Application Form
• Guidance notes on completing the form

Applications can be completed online or sent into the Council's address on the form.

High Hedges

Concerns about the potentially severe effects that high hedges can have on domestic property led the Government to include provisions for dealing with the problem within Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. These provisions came into effect on 01 June 2005.

Householders who believe that a high hedge is adversely affecting the reasonable enjoyment of their property may now ask the District Council to investigate the situation.

• Further information and guidance on the legislation (via the Planning Portal)