Proposed Hedgerow Removal at Chirbury

A friend of mine forwarded an email regarding proposed hedgerow removal at a farm just outside of Chirbury.  Some of you maybe already be aware of this, but here is a summary and some relevant links to further information.

Hedgerow removal at Chirbury

An application has been lodged with Shropshire Council for the removal of over 11km (7 miles) of hedgerow at Chirbury, close to the Welsh border.  Thirty-seven individual fields will be lost if permission is granted, which will result in one vast 150-hectare field. 

Hedgerows are one of the defining features of the countryside and are vitally important to wildlife.  A recent survey of a single stretch of an English hedge revealed the presence of 1,671 species including butterflies, moths, bees, birds, small mammals and numerous invertebrates.

The hedgerows also form part of the distinctive character of the landscape.    The Vale of Montgomery has great beauty and historical interest and the field network is one of its most valuable elements.

Loss of hedgerows would have an adverse impact of the Camlad river.  Increased siltation would occur and further pollution be caused as a result of pesticide and phosphate run-off.

You can access further details on our website from this link: further details.

Make your views known

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has lodged a formal objection to this application.  If you share our concerns for these hedgerows, please send your comments to Dougald Purce, the planner dealing with this case, dougald.purce@shropshire.gov.uk, by Thursday 17^th January.  It would be particularly useful if you quoted some of the policies and legislation mentioned in our objection. 

For further information about this case see the relevant page on Shropshire Council’s planning portal.