The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 query

[Laura 12345]

Hi all,

 

Just doing an assignment about The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 for my Treelife Level 4, and have a quick question about what specific criteria are needed for a hedgerow to be protected. On the GOV.UK guidance page (Countryside hedgerows: protection and management), it lists the 'length', 'location' and 'importance' criteria for determining whether a hedgerow is protected or not; my question is, does a hedgerow need to fit into all of those categories? i.e. would a hedgerow that is less than 20 metres be protected it was more than 30 years old, contained rare species AND bordered agricultural land? Or does it have to be a Holy Trinity of sorts (more than 20m, in specific locations AND more than 30 years old)? 

 

Hope this is clear enough to understand. Any advice is appreciated!