When Can You Appeal a Hedgerow Notice?

Councils make decisions about countryside hedgerow notices. Another section explains how to find local council websites.

You can make an appeal against a council decision if they (either):

• Told you not to remove a hedgerow (e.g. a retention notice).
• Tell you to replace a hedgerow that you already removed (e.g. through the issuance of a replacement notice).

Note: Appealing against a hedgerow notice issued by the council is free of charge in the United Kingdom. But, the person who made the original application is the only one who can make an appeal.

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Deadline to Appeal a Hedgerow Notice

The deadline for appealing against a hedgerow retention notice or hedgerow replacement notice is twenty eight (28) days from the date recorded on the document sent out by the local council.

As a rule, you can expect to get a decision about an appeal within seven months (31 weeks) from when it gets validated (see further details on the validation process below).

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How to Appeal Hedgerow Notices

You need to use the correct application form that falls under the Environment Act 1995 section 97. Furthermore, you will also need to supply:

• A copy of the original application.
• Grounds for appealing against the hedgerow notice.
• A copy of the decision notice issued by the local planning authority (LPA).
• Any relevant documents used to support the appeal.

Note: Another section explains the benefits for wildlife and the environment when land managers establish and manage hedgerows in the United Kingdom.

Fill in an appeal form and send it with all the relevant documents to the council who made the original decision.

Remember, you must also send the same documents and information to the tree and hedge appeals department of the Planning Inspectorate.

Planning Inspectorate
Mail: [email protected]

Note: You cannot use postal methods to send your appeal during the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). Hence you will need to send them by email.

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Commenting on a Hedgerow Appeal

In fact, anyone can submit a comment about a hedgerow appeal. Most people will find commenting by email the easiest method (especially during the pandemic).

Environment Appeals
Mail: [email protected]

Note: Another section explains more about planning permission and building regulations in the countrysides of England and Wales./p>

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After Making an Appeal

One of the roles of the Planning Inspectorate is checking that these types of appeals are valid. Following that, they will notify you of what happens next and how long the process is likely to take.

After the Planning Inspectorate considers the application, they will usually make their decision known within a period of about thirty one (31) weeks.

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What if Someone Behaves ‘Unreasonably’?

In some cases, unreasonable behaviour may mean you incur extra costs (e.g. they missed the deadlines). If so, you can make an application to get an ‘award of costs’.

But, you should also be aware that you may need to pay the costs of another party if the award goes against you.

You should follow the official complaints procedure to complain about the handling of your appeal by the Planning Inspectorate. There is no time limit for making this type of complaint.

Note: Another section explains how to claim planning appeal costs (and the deadlines for doing so) in greater detail.

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Disagreeing with an Appeal Decision

Supposing you still disagree with the appeal decision (e.g. because you believe the Planning Inspectorate made a legal mistake). If so, you may be able to make a legal challenge through the Administrative Court.

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