If you want to remove any part of a hedge that's protected by The Hedgerow Regulations, you need to send us a Hedgerow Removal Notice 6 weeks before you plan to do the work.
If we send you a Hedgerow Retention Notice you cannot remove the hedge. You can appeal against our decision but you cannot do any work on the hedge until you have our permission.
If you have not heard back from us 6 weeks after sending us a Hedgerow Removal Notice, you may go ahead.
A hedge is protected if it's either 20m or more in length, or less than 20m in length and joins another hedge at both ends, and it is on or next to:
- land used for agriculture or forestry
- land used for keeping horses, ponies or donkeys
- common land
- a village green
- a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
- a local nature reserve (LNR)
A hedge is not protected if it's within or marks the boundary of a domestic dwelling.
Sometimes you do not need permission to remove a protected hedge. You can find out more in section 6 of the Hedgerow Regulations.