Hedgerow removal notice

The Hedgerow Regulations 1997

We have the power to protect hedges in the countryside that are of importance, either ecologically or historically. The Hedgerow Regulations, introduced in 1997, require that anyone who wishes to remove a hedge in the countryside must notify us by submitting an application for Hedgerow Removal Notice.

Complete an online application for a Hedgerow Removal on the Planning Portal website.

Read the guidance notes for application for Hedgerow Removal on the Planning Portal for help completing the form.

On receipt of the application, we must consider whether, or not, the hedgerow is 'important'. We base this assessment on a set of criteria contained within the Regulations that cover the age, archaeological, historical, wildlife and landscape value, of the hedge. If we consider it necessary to prohibit removal of the hedgerow, we will notify the applicant within 6 weeks. There are a few exemptions from the need to notify, the main one being that the hedgerow is within the curtilage, or forms the boundary, of a dwelling. You may not need consent to be remove hedgerows that are shorter than 20 metres. However, a hedgerow can also have any number of gaps up to 20 metres in length and still be a continuous length of hedgerow.

If you wish to remove a hedgerow, you should contact us first to check if you require consent.

Go to countryside hedgerows: protection and management on GOV.UK to find out if you can remove or work on countryside hedgerows that you own or manage.

Last updated: Monday, 25 April, 2022.