Apply for hedgerow works

Hedgerows are distinctive features of the countryside, are often of considerable historic interest and support a great diversity of plant and wildlife species.

Their role in conserving and enhancing biological diversity is recognised in the UK biodiversity action plan. Many hedgerows date back to the first enclosure of the land and may incorporate other historic features such as ancient earthworks, parish or old property boundaries.

It is against the law to remove or destroy certain hedgerows in Lichfield District without first getting permission from us.

Garden hedges are not affected.

There are regulations that set out criteria that must be used by us in determining which hedgerows are important. The criteria relate to the value of hedgerows from an archaeological, historical, landscape or wildlife perspective.

Find out if you can remove or work on countryside hedgerows that you own or manage on gov.uk.

If the hedgerow meets the required standard, we may serve a hedgerow retention notice.

You could be fined up to £5,000 if you break the rules for removing a hedgerow. In serious cases you could get an unlimited fine for removing hedgerows in cases referred to the Crown Court.

How to remove a hedgerow

If you propose to remove a hedgerow, or section of hedgerow, you must give us six week's prior notice in writing. Once we have received your notice, we have 42 days to respond. Please include a plan that clearly shows the location of the hedge and the part to be removed.

The best way to submit your hedgerow removal notice is via the government Planning Portal.

Alternatively, you may download and submit the hedgerow removal notice form.