What hedgerows are protected?

Certain hedgerows are protected by the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 (HR 1997), SI 1997/1160, enACTed under the Environment Act 1995.

Two levels of protection are afforded, as further explained below:

1. •

   a hedgerow which fulfils criteria relating to its length and location as set out in HR 1997, reg 3 cannot be removed unless the relevant local planning authority (LPA) has received written Notice of the proposed works

2. •

   the LPA can only prevent the hedgerow from being removed if the hedgerow is also considered an important hedgerow for the purposes of HR 1997, reg 4

Additionally, in England, the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 (MH(E)R 2024, SI 2024/680 require:

1. •

   a buffer strip of two metres of the centre of an important hedgerow to be established and maintained, in which land cannot be cultivated and fertilisers cannot be used

2. •

   that no cutting or trimming of an important hedgerow can take place from 1 March to 31 August of any year

If a hedgerow is not protected under HR 1997 or MH(E)R