The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 give protection to hedgerows that
grow on agricultural, common and forestry land, horse and donkey
paddocks, nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific
Interest.
The regulations prevent the removal of most countryside
hedgerows without first submitting a hedgerow removal notice to the
Council. The regulations also set out criteria that must be used by
Suffolk Coastal in determining which hedgerows are 'important'.
Suffolk Coastal may order the retention of 'important'
hedgerows.
Suffolk Coastal encourages landowners to retain and manage
natural hedgerows wherever possible as they are part of the
county's heritage and are an invaluable habitat for wildlife.
For more information, general enquiries and advice contact the
Landscape Officer on 01394 444420 or email
anne.westover@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
For hedgerow removal notice enquiries contact the Planning
Helpdesk on 01394 444403 or
444428 or email
d.c.admin@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Applying for a hedgerow removal notice
Follow the links below to download or print off the
hedgerow removal notice application form, guidance notes and
checklist.
You can also submit your application to the Council online (new
window) via the Planning Portal.
England’s hedgerows: don’t cut them out!
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) believes there are
opportunities to improve hedgerow protection and has published a
report 'England’s hedgerows: don’t cut them out!', which it says
provides evidence that the Hedgerows Regulations need to be
updated. Suffolk Coastal is one of the case studies featured in the
report.
Follow the links below to find out about CPRE's hedgerow
campaign and to view the report: