Following a consultation on the protection of hedgerows last year, The Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 has been laid in the Houses of Parliament today. If approved, it will come into force immediately.
The new rules include:
• A 2m metre buffer strip measured from the centre of the hedgerow, where a green cover must be established and maintained. No cultivation or application of pesticides/fertilisers should take place on these strips;
• A hedgerow cutting ban from 1 March to 31 August (inclusive).
For land that is currently in use for crop production, the rules will apply from the end of the first harvest after the legislation comes into force. For land where there is currently no buffer strip and is not used for crop production, the rules will apply from 1 July 2024.
Guidance on the new rules we will available soon on the GOV.UK website. In the meantime, for those interested, stay up to date on this link.
