§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect hedgerows in the Green Belt; and if he will make a statement.[79773]
§ Mr. MealeThe regime to protect important hedgerows, under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, is not applied differentially to hedgerows in the green belt. Its requirements apply to all hedgerows which are of 20 metres or more in length or which meet another hedgerow at each end, if they are on, or adjoining, land used for agriculture or forestry, the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys, common land, village greens, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Nature Reserves. Garden hedges are excluded.