§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to extend the time scale for determining applications for hedgerow removals; [7441]
(2) if he will revise the criteria determining whether or not a hedgerow is sufficiently important to be protected; [7442]
(3) if he will allow local authorities to charge for applications to remove hedgerows. [7443]
6W
§ Angela EagleOn 29 May the Government announced that a group would be set up, including representatives of statutory agencies, local authorities and the main farming and conservation bodies, to review how the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 might be strengthened. The group have been asked to make recommendations on the time allowed for local authorities to respond to hedgerow removal notices and on the criteria defining important hedgerows.
I have no plans to allow local authorities to charge for applications to remove hedgerows, though the Government would consider any recommendations of the review group in this regard.