Hedgerows undeniably play an important environmental role, providing benefits to wild animals and plant life, agronomic and economic benefits, etc.

Bocage and forested landscapes are all too often left scarred by excessive hedge removal, and effective means of protecting hedges are therefore required.

This section of the site provides a comprehensive overview of current legislation that can be used to protect hedges:

 State and local authorities section

 Landowners/farmers’ section

Direct links to legal fact sheets:
. Prefectural biotope protection order
. Landscape protection and enhancement directive
. Sustainable development plan (PADD) and local development plan (PLU) themes
. Prefectural protection for linear woodland, hedgerows and road/rail/riverside plantations
. Hunting and wildlife reserves
. Conservation areas
. Protected natural sites and monuments
. Local development plan zoning (regulations and graphic documents)
. Architectural, urban and landscape heritage protection areas
. Rural lease with environmental clauses

Here is a typical example of an order issued in 2006 to regulate the upkeep and shredding of hedges and free-standing woody plants in Territoire-de-Belfort.

2 pages / 536 ko