Protected Trees and Hedges

The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 came into force in June 1997 and changed the law to restrict the removal of most countryside hedgerows without permission.

Permission is required to remove hedgerows, either in whole or in part if your hedgerow is on, or runs alongside agricultural land, common land, land used for forestry or the breeding or keeping or horses, ponies or donkeys, or a Local Nature Reserve or Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The way in which the Regulations apply to individual hedgerows is quite complex. It is advisable, therefore, to discuss with the local planning authority at an early stage any plans to remove hedgerows.

You can download the hedgerows application form and guidance notes, alternatively you may contact the Countryside Officer.