Hedgerow Surveys
Legislation for Hedgerows
The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 are designed to protect ‘important’ countryside hedgerows. Importance is defined by whether the hedgerow (a) has existed for 30 years or more; or (b) satisfies at least one of the criteria listed in Part II of Schedule 1 of the Regulations.
Under the Regulations, it is against the law to remove or destroy hedgerows on or adjacent to common land, village greens, SSSIs (including all terrestrial SACs, NNRs and SPAs), LNRs, land used for agriculture or forestry and land used for the keeping or breeding of horses, ponies or donkeys without the permission of the local authority. Hedgerows 'within or marking the boundary of the curtilage of a dwelling-house' are excluded.
There are eight criteria listed in Part II of Schedule 1 of the Hedgerow Regulations by which hedgerows may qualify as ‘important’. Criteria 1-5 relate to archaeology/heritage components whilst criteria 6-8 relate to ecology components.
The ecology components include the number of woody species and the presence of associated features such as banks, walls, ditches, trees, gaps, the presence of other hedgerows, ground flora, protected species and public rights of way which will be identified via a hedgerow survey.
Survey Methodology
A daytime survey will be undertaken during which hedgerows within the site boundary will be identified, mapped and photographed. A description of each hedgerow including an assessment of habitat condition will be provided.
A 30m section of each hedgerow (including both sides of the hedgerow, where accessible) will be sampled. For each 30m section, a list of plant species and their distribution with reference to the DAFOR scale (D = Dominant; A = Abundant, F = Frequent, O = Occasional, R = Rare) will be compiled along with details of any associated features including:
- A bank or wall supporting the hedgerow.
- Less than 10% gaps.
- On average, at least one tree per 50 metres.
- At least 3 species from a list of 57 woodland plants.
- A ditch.
- A number of connections with other hedgerows, ponds or woodland.
- A parallel hedge within 15 metres.
- An adjacent footpath or byway.
Protected or invasive non-native plant species listed under Schedules 8 and 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 respectively, will be recorded if present and identifiable during the survey.
Field signs of protected fauna will also be noted, where present.
Key Survey Considerations
The optimal period for hedgerow surveys is April to October, when woody species are in leaf and ground flora is more visible.
For some sites it may be possible to complete hedgerow surveys during the sub-optimal period though this may depend upon the ability to identify woody species and the presence of associated features, as well as climatic conditions.
Further Survey Information
The survey will be undertaken in accordance with the following publication:
- DEFRA (2007). Hedgerow Survey Handbook. A Standard Procedure for Local Surveys in the UK. Defra, London.