Farmland, Grassland and Heathland

Ancient/Diverse Hedgerows

UK Lead Organisation:

DEFRA

County Lead Organisation:

N/A

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.

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)

Protection

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, Monitoring, Research and Survey

A number of agri-environment schemes offer grant aid for maintenance and creation of hedgerows.
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)

Advisory

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

Further Information