Welcome to the twelfth episode of The RPA Podcast. In our latest episode, we speak with Peter Clampett from RPA’s Regulatory and Advice Service about the hedgerows management regulations covering which hedgerows the rules apply to, the hedgerow cutting ban which is in force from the 1 March to the 31 August each year, how the rules apply to the 2 metres buffer strip, exemptions to the rules, how to apply for a derogation and when civil sanctions may be used.  

The implementation of the new hedgerow regulations (Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024) came into force in May 2024.

There is more information on GOV.UK. Farmers, land managers and general public can read the Hedgerow-management-rules-cutting-and-trimming page. There is also the Hedgerow management rules: buffer strips page on GOV.UK

You should also consider that if you do need to cut your hedgerow in the closed period, does it fall under an exemption?  And if it does, and you need to apply for a Derogation, read How to apply for written permission (a derogation). You can find guidance on all the rules and exemptions on GOV.UK.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at [email protected].

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