§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 19 March 1998,Official Report, column 693, if he will include in the information to be collected centrally under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 the lengths of hedgerow for each local planning authority in England that have been the subject of (a) notification under the regulations, (b) hedgerow removal notices and (c) hedgerow retention notices. [44808]
§ Angela EagleMy Department's consultation with representatives of local government on what information should be collected centrally in relation to the operation of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 sought views on whether this should include data on the length of hedgerow for each local planning authority in England or Wales subject to hedgerow removal notices (served by those wishing to remove a hedge), and subject to hedgerow retention notices (served by the local authority). It also sought views on whether the information collected should include data on length of important hedgerow for each planning authority in England and Wales in respect of which retention notices were not issued. We are considering the results of that consultation.
This information is currently held at the local level. Each local planning authority in England and Wales is required, under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, to compile and make publicly available a record containing, among other items, a copy of every hedgerow removal notice received by it; every notice given by it stating that a hedgerow may be removed; and every hedgerow retention notice issued by it.