Hedgerow removal

It is the responsibility of an owner or occupier of private land or property to ensure that frontage hedges, or other vegetation, do not overhang or protrude onto the highway or footpath and restrict passage of pedestrians or vehicles.

Hedges should be cut back to the boundary, or vertically above the rear of a footpath to a height of 2.2m.

Hedgerows

Many countryside hedgerows are protected by the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. The Hedgerow Regulations were introduced to help address the widespread loss of countryside hedgerows that had occurred due to intensification of farming methods. The regulations introduced new arrangements for local planning authorities in England and Wales to protect important hedgerows in the countryside, by controlling their removal through a system of notification. It is unlawful to remove or destroy certain hedgerows without the written permission of your local planning authority.

Important hedgerows are those that:

• mark the boundary of a historic parish or township existing before 1850
• contain or are within an archaeological feature which is on the Sites and Monuments Record, or a pre 1600 manor or estate
• are part of or are associated with a field system predating the Enclosure Acts
• contain species in part one of Schedule 5; or Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; or defined in Schedule 3 of the regulations plus at least 2 associated features
• include one or more of the following: at least 7 woody species, at least 6 woody species plus at least 3 Associated Features, at least 6 woody species including a black poplar; large-leaved lime, small-leaved lime or wild service tree, at least 5 woody species and at least 4 associated features

Hedgerows that are covered by the regulations

Hedgerows on or adjacent to the following:

• common land
• village greens
• sites of scientific special interest
• local nature reserves
• land used for agriculture, forestry or for the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys

The regulations do not apply to garden hedges (which are defined as hedgerows within or marking the boundary of the curtilage of a dwelling house).

Removing a hedgerow 

Any landowner who wishes to remove a hedgerow must serve a Hedgerow Removal Notice in writing. We then have 42 days to determine whether or not the hedge is considered 'important' under the regulations, and if so, whether or not to issue a retention notice, even if the hedgerow counts as important.

Make an application

Apply and make payment online to get permission to remove a hedge.

Alternatively, you can download and print our paper version of the application.

High hedges

Find out more about making a high hedge complaint.

For general advice, contact us and see:

• high hedge appeals procedure guidance
• guidance on how to settle your hedge differences without involving your council
• planning and building guidance

Contact us