Hedgerows and hedges

Hedgerows are important for many reasons. They mark boundaries and offer homes for wildlife.

Permission to remove a hedge

You don't need permission for trimming or removing a garden hedge.

You need to apply for permission through the Planning Portal if you want to:

• remove a hedgerow
• remove an unmaintained hedge in a conservation area with stems larger than 75mm diameter at 1.5 meters above ground
• replacing your hedge with a fence or wall

You can also get advice first from a planning duty officer.

Hedgerows are protected by law. If you remove a hedge without permission, you may face a fine of £5,000.

There's no law against putting nets on hedgerows to stop birds from nesting. But the nets must be fully enclosed. Regularly check the nets, as it is illegal to harm birds. Report any harm to the Wildlife Crime Officer with the police.

You can find more detailed information on this on the central government's website as well as find information on Hedgerow Notices.

Reporting a removed hedgerow

How you report a removed hedgerow depends on whether it's in a:

• Countryside Stewardship Scheme
• Environmental Stewardship Agreement Scheme
• EU Basic Payment Scheme

First check if the hedgerow is in one of the Defra MAGIC schemes.

Report any concerns to the Rural Payments Agency at 03000 200 301 or email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk. You can also report hedgerows removed on the planning compliance page.

To report an offence you need:

• date of the removal
• location on a map
• photos of the current site
• length of the hedgerow removed
• what remains now (for example nothing or stumps)
• reason why you think it's an important hedgerow under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997

   

Removing trees in a hedge

Conservation areas or tree preservation orders might protect trees within hedgerows. Hedgerows can't have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), but trees within a hedgerow can. Visit our TPO webpage for more information.

Other resources

• National Hedgelaying Society website – helps you find an accredited hedge layer
• OPAL – gives a guide on common hedgerow plants and more
• The English Hedgerow Trust and Hedgelink – information on hedgerow management
• The Tree Council – information on fruitful hedgerows and foraging.