Hedgerow Assessments
Hedgerows are a valuable and declining biodiversity resource and are recognized as a UK BAP priority habitat. Agricultural intensification over the last century has been the major factor driving the decline, but as this has subsided development pressures continue to contribute to losses.
Important hedgerows are protected from removal by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. Biodiversity, landscape and archaeological factors are used to identify important hedgerows. It is against the law to remove or destroy certain hedgerows without permission from the local planning authority. Local planning authority permission is required before removing hedges that are at least 20 metres in length, more than 30 years old and contain certain species of plant.
CSa can assess hedgerows in line with the ecological criteria within the Hedgerows Regulations to determine whether or not they qualify as ‘Important’ hedgerows under the Regulations. We can also advise on which hedgerows may be considered the most ecologically valuable. In terms of development, the grant of planning permission overrides the protection of the Hedgerows Regulations but our assessments can be important in developing an acceptable scheme.
