Hedgerows are a very distinctive feature of the South Hams landscape. They are the District’s largest nature reserve, they form a patchwork across the landscape and are some of the oldest features in the countryside.

It is important that existing hedgerows are maintained – and this is achieved through both management and statutory protection.

In towns and villages, hedges can also prove to be un-neighbourly and legislation is now in place to deal with nuisance high hedges.