Farmland, Grassland and Heathland

Ancient/Diverse Hedgerows

Objectives

Halt the net loss of ancient and diverse hedgerows and achieve a favourable level of management for such hedges.
Increase the net length of native, species rich hedgerows within the County.

Targets

Prevent any further net loss of ancient/diverse hedgerows within Staffordshire.
Increase the net amount of diverse hedgerow by 200km through new planting by 2010.
Maintain overall numbers of hedgerow trees and ensure that there are no net losses from 2001 onwards.
Achieve favourable management for 200km of all ancient/diverse hedgerows by 2010.

Total achievements to date (November 1998 - March 2001)

12km of hedgerow planted by National Forest Tender Schemes, DEFRA, SWT, BTCV and National Trust in Staffordshire.
2.5km of hedgerow retained through Hedgerow Regulation applications.

Current Action

Protection and Policy

Implementation of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 that leads to some hedgerows being protected by law.
Some hedgerow systems are classified as wildlife sites (SBIs) and are recognised by local authorities to be of some importance for development control purposes.

Management, Research and Survey

A number of agri-environment schemes offer grant aid for maintenance and creation of hedgerows.
Hedgerow management and hedge laying is carried out by a number of organisations throughout the County.
Ancient and/or Species rich Hedgerows has been listed as a costed, key habitat in the UK Steering Group Report.

Action Plan

UK Lead Organisation:

DEFRA

County Lead Organisation:

N/A

Policy

Ensure development plans provide for the protection and management of species rich hedges. (LAs)
Ensure all hedges under threat of destruction are surveyed for their importance. (LAs)
Seek to ensure that all future hedgerow planting is either species rich or is in accordance with the area in which it is to be created. (DEFRA, FWAG)

Management

Encourage favourable hedgerow management e.g. codes of practice on cutting time, leaving a strip of un-sprayed land along hedgerow edge etc. (DEFRA, FWAG)
For hedgerows along roads, canals and railways, seek to ensure that the controlling agency practises appropriate management. (Highways Agency, BWB, Railtrack)
Promote the restoration of defunct old hedgerows wherever possible. (DEFRA, FWAG)
Encourage planting of new diverse hedgerows using locally native species. (DEFRA, FWAG)
Encourage planting and/or regeneration of more hedgerow trees. (DEFRA, FWAG)
Seek to restore and create native, species rich hedgerows in appropriate areas. (DEFRA, FWAG, FoM, TNF, Developers and Landowners)

Monitoring and Research

Carry out research into the extent and quality of Staffordshire hedgerows. (SWT, Universities)
Review annual figures for hedgerow removal notices to monitor success / failure of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. (SWT)
Seek to monitor the creation, restoration and management of this habitat throughout the County. (SWT)

Advisory

Promote the biodiversity and landscape value of ancient diverse hedgerows to the public and landowners. (SBAP Partnership)

Complementary Plans