In August 2007 Landscape Juice reported that the common cuckoo, sparrow and hedgehog had been added to the UK's priority species list as a part of the Biodiversity Action Plan.
And now hedges in all their wonder are on the Priority Habitat List. The website Hedgelink is run by the UK Hedgerow Habitat Action Plan (HAP) Steering group - they have the job to meet the HAP regulations.
I asked Rob Wolton, chairman of Hedgelink, what the main hedge hazards are today? I was a little surprised by his answer:
"In Britain, the main threats are linked to inappropriate management. Hedges are either being cut at the same height every year, year on year, or being abandoned. Both processes eventually lead to hedgerow loss," he said.
"All hedges need periodic rejuvenation through laying or coppicing, with gaps planted up as necessary. Housing and other developments are another cause of loss, especially on the edges of towns and cities."
So, apart from hedge loss due to developments, a main problem is the wrong kind of hedge cutting.
Are the Hedgerow regulations able to protect the hedgerows and meet the targets of the Biodiversity Action plan, which runs until 2012? The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE)called for a change and Rob Wolton agreed:
"The CPRE has called for changes to the Hedgerow Regulations which affect hedgerows in England and Wales. These regulations were developed independently of the UK HAP, and Hedgelink has recognised that it would be desirable to amend the regulations to bring them in line with the HAP," Rob Wolton said.
Both groups believe they will be able to reduce the loss of hedgerows better than they are presently able to, when the regulations are altered.
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