11 March 2010Trees
Trees are an important natural asset, which contribute to the quality of both the urban and the rural environment. The Sevenoaks District covers an area of 142 square miles and includes two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trees and woodlands that grow within the district make a wide ranging and positive contribution.
For general advice on tree management and preservation please visit the Directgov website.
See the links below for help and advice on tree management.
Hedgerows
The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 made under the Environment Act 1995, provide control over the removal of important hedgerows through a system of notification. Control mainly applies to hedges over 20 metres long, and which fringe agricultural/forestry land, nature conservation sites or common land (not garden hedges). Certain minor exemptions to notification are given, such as where part of a hedge is to be removed to form a needed access, or for the proper management of the hedgerow.
A local authority receiving a notice that a hedge is to be removed, must then determine whether the hedgerow is important. The criteria for importance, as given in the Regulations, are that the hedge must be over 30 years old and that it satisfies at least one of a number of criteria relating to historic value and the presence of rare flora, fauna or numerous woody species.
Further information can be found at on the hedges pages on the DEFRA website and the procedures for appeals against Hedgerow Retention Notices and Hedgerow Replacement Notices pages on the Planning Inspectorate's website.
High Hedges
If your query relates to high hedges this is dealt with by our Environmental Health section. For full details please follow the link.
