Under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 it is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission. If you are intending to remove a hedgerow covered by the Regulations you are required to serve notice on the District Council – which has 6 weeks in which to decide whether to allow removal or to require that the hedgerow be retained.

The Council must assess whether the hedgerow is “important” against eight separate criteria and if it is, there is a presumption that the hedge must be retained.

The Regulations are complex – and whilst there are a number of exemptions under which works can take place – it is an offence to undertake works without having served the correct notice.

Further details are contained in the standard notification form and there is a separate information leaflet available from the District Council.

Further background details can be found at DEFRA.

If you want to discuss a possible notification, please contact the Council’s Tree Office on: 01803 861234 or Email: tree.office@southhams.gov.uk