A396 Hedge Removal

The applicant seeking planning permission to build 7 new houses on land adjacent to Highfields has now submitted a further planning application to remove over 60 metres of hedgerow to give access to the site. Accompanying the application is a report from a tree Consultancy Company claiming 'The existing roadside hedge is of recent origins and this is reflected in the low species diversity. The hedge does not satisfy the criteria to be considered important under The Hedgerows Regulations 1997. The Planning Authority cannot prevent its loss.'

Their report also states that the current alignment of the A396 was created in 1813 as part of turnpike improvements.