Field Boundary (Hedge) Removal

Hedges are one of several landscape features found in Northern Ireland mainly as field boundaries. The other landscape features are trees, dry stone walls, ditches or sheughs and earth banks. The removal of these landscape features (mainly field boundaries (hedges)) is discouraged by the Department.

Why protect and maintain landscape features?

Hedges provide valuable shelter for stock as do stone walls; they separate livestock from neighbouring farms and along with trees provide nesting cover for birds and a variety of habitats and food for wildlife. Hedges and trees also remove carbon from the atmosphere which could play a role in farming’s challenge with climate change. Ditches or sheughs and earthbanks are also important for many plants, animals, birds and insects. Because these landscape features have been in place for many decades, if not centuries, they are a relatively untouched harbour for wildlife and characterise much of the Northern Ireland landscape.

Derogation to remove a Landscape Feature

If a farm business in receipt of a farm payment, wants to remove a Landscape Feature they must receive written permission (derogation) from the Department. There are some exceptions.

Removal includes any operation which uproots or otherwise destroys a hedgerow, tree or other landscape feature, either directly or indirectly. Ditch or sheugh maintenance is permitted but it is recommended that sheugh cleaning should be carried out during the autumn to late winter.  

It is important to remember that even when a derogation has been granted, you must not destroy or damage birds, their nests or eggs, nor disturb birds when they are nesting and comply with the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended. The removal of a landscape feature is not permitted from the 1st March to 31st August, the bird nesting season, to help farm businesses comply with the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended.

Application for a derogation - LF1

Farmers can seek written permission (derogation) to remove a Landscape Feature by completing an LF1 form  or:

• by emailing dg_the Departmentlandscapefeaturederogations@nigov.net 
• or from your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Click on the following for details: DAERA Direct Regional offices 

Mitigation needed

The Department may give written permission (derogation) for the removal of a landscape feature, but this will usually include the farmer either:

• Planting a new hedge or,
• Planting an area of trees or,
• Building a new stone wall or,
• Establishing any other environmental enhancement e.g. pond, riparian buffer, etc,

the equivalent size of 110% of the landscape feature the farmer sought permission to remove. This will mitigate the environmental loss from the landscape feature removed. This is referred to as mitigation. Mitigation requested by the Department must be completed to the required specification within the deadline set by the Department.

Permission refused

It is unlikely that the Department will give written permission (a derogation) to a farmer for the removal of a landscape feature where it is:

• A townland boundary
• A stream
• Associated with a heritage feature
• Associated with a protected area eg ASSI