§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm that neither the Hedgerow Regulations 1997, nor any amending measure, will remove or reduce that protection of hedgerows which is provided within acts of enclosure passed before 1840. [HL108]
§ Lord WhittyYes. Consent given under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 to remove a hedgerow does not override other legal obligations, such as those contained in Inclosure Acts and Awards. Any revisions to the regulations or the governing legislation should not alter the position.