Enforcement action after hedge is cut down in South Downs National Park

An important hedgerow has been replanted after it was unlawfully removed.

Enforcement action was taken by the National Park Authority after a hedge was cut down next to a field off Edburton Road, Edburton, in West Sussex.

Hedgerows are protected by the Hedgerow Regulations 1997, which states it’s against the law to remove or destroy certain hedgerows without permission from the Local Planning Authority.

A Hedgerow Replacement Notice was served by the Authority, stating that the hedge removal had significantly altered Edburton’s rural outlook and taken away an important wildlife corridor.

The notice has now been complied with and the hedge replanted which will hopefully further establish over the forthcoming years. The notice stated that the hedgerow be re-instated with a mixture of native species, including hawthorn, blackthorn, guelder rose, spindle, hazel and field maple.

Planting had to be at a density of five plants per metre in staggered double rows 50cm apart.

Jack Trevelyan, who leads enforcement in the National Park, said: “The laws protecting hedgerows are very stringent and it’s important that people are aware of these.

“This was a successful outcome following the disappointing removal of the original hedgerow for our enforcement team as the hedge has now been reinstated.

“A healthy hedgerow can support over 2,000 species of plants, animals, birds, and insects in just a 100-metre stretch and they are a vital ‘road network’ for nature, so it’s really important we care for these wildlife havens. The National Park is working hard to restore biodiversity across the region and healthy hedgerows are a key element of this.”

For more information about hedgerow regulations visit this webpage. If you have a concern for a specific hedgerow in the National Park and possible infringements of the law, it can be reported here. It’s important to include a good description, alongside photos and evidence, in order for us to look into it.