Take action

Carry out a local hedgerow survey
You can ensure that the Government's hedgerow regulations are being implemented as effectively as possible by carrying out a hedgerow survey using our free Hedgerow Action Pack. The pack helps you determine, using the information local planning authorities require, whether or not a hedgerow meets the criteria for protection. See the library section of our website to find out more about the Hedgerow Action Pack and how to order.

Alternatively, if you have a general interest in local hedgerows, use the new Hedgerow Survey Handbook: A standard procedure for local surveys in the UK to carry out a detailed survey of local hedgerows to identify their number, condition, landscape and biodiversity value. This method allows hedgerows to be recorded in a consistent way and the results can be placed on a standard database and used to build up a national picture of local hedgerows. To order a photocopy of the handbook, contact DEFRA – the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – at its conservation management division on 020 7238 5662.

Make hedgerow survey results available to your local planning authority
Give your survey results, and the results of any other hedgerow surveys carried out in your area, to your local planning authority. Ask them in return to inform you of any application to remove hedgerows in your area. That way, you can ensure that those hedgerows under threat are first surveyed to see if they fulfil criteria for protection set out in the Government's hedgerow regulations.

Familiarise yourself with the current regulations
If you are worried about the loss of local hedgerows, familiarise yourself with the current regulations in place to protect them. The Hedgerow Regulations: Your Questions Answered, a leaflet which is available from most local planning authorities, gives a good overview;

Inform influential organisations
Inform influential organisations – like local employers, schools and amenity societies – about local hedgerows

Familiarise yourself with the history of your local landscape
Spend time becoming familiar with you local landscape history, which will often indicate where important and ancient hedgerows and other features may be found. Armed with an understanding of their significance, visit these hedges and other features in the field and record their distribution and current condition, both in writing and in photographs, carefully recording location detail. Be alert for changes in land ownership, which can often lead to new land management priorities, including threats to hedges. Survey these hedges to anticipate possible threats

Monitor planning applications
Removal of hedgerows is permitted if it is required to carry out a development for which planning permission has been granted. You could lobby your local planning authority to ensure that when it is considering whether to grant planning permission for any proposed new development, it seeks to set conditions on the developer which would safeguard existing hedgerows.

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