The Arnside and Silverdale AONB Partnership recognises the value and importance of hedgerows in the AONB.

There are a number of policies set out in the statutory management plan concerning hedgerows and measure to encourage their restoration, recreation and planting of new hedges.

The AONB has recently produced a comprehensive survey of hedgerows in the AONB and promotes the ancient craft skill of hedge-laying, through training courses and an annual hedge-laying competition.

Other resources

The Hedgelink website has lots of information and advice so click on the link here to find out more. You can also download a leaflet on hedge management published by Hedgelink here.

Important hedgerows are protected from removal by the Hedgrows Regulations 1997. Various criteria specified in the regulations are used to identify important hedgerows for wildlife, landscape or historical reasons. Natural England have information on the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 on their website.

Good Hedgerow management practice guidelines: 

• Avoid working on hedgerows between 1 March and 31 July  – the main nesting season for birds.  
• Leave trimming until the end of winter, but if this is not possible, trimming can be brought forward to early winter.
• Ground cover at the hedge base should be retained over winter for ground-nesting birds and as hibernation sites for mammals.
• Over-management – or trimming a hedge too severely – can have a detrimental effect on conservation. Generally, taller, bushier hedgerows have more wildlife potential than smaller, thinner hedges.
• If conditions are such that you need to trim hedges when berries are present, only the hedge sides should be trimmed, as this will leave some fruit.
• You should pay particular attention to the need to avoid spray and fertiliser drift into hedges, hedge verges and hedge bottoms.
• Livestock should be fenced away from hedgerows, and a strip of uncultivated or ungrazed land maintained between the hedge and adjacent crops.
• Further advice on hedgerows, including planting AONB appropriate hedge species and traditional management techniques is available from the AONB Countryside Officer - Tony Riden on 01524 761034