Discussions have been had concerning laying roadside hedges so that they become better habitats and allow people to see the wonderful and extensive views that led to the designation of our landscapes. We ask, are our owners, farmers and managers willing to join us to get roadside hedges laid? We’re welcoming expressions of interest from owners/managers to engage with the laying of roadside hedges.
Richard Burden, our Principal Landscape and Planning Officer, writes:
My concerns are that the extensive views of the open downlands – a feature for which this National Landscape was designated – from our highways are being lost through a combination of less than appropriate management and the planting of additional roadside hedges. The latter is well-intended but the two-row, frequently single-species hedges have insufficient thickness to provide good habitat, and the mechanical trimming does not encourage or facilitate a thick, warm, predator-proof habitat. The bases of these hedges are bare, limiting their protective value in winter. The management of existing roadside hedges mechanically (and in response to governmental guidance) tends to produce higher hedges, still not particularly thick, and those that are not managed become open and lack protection for song birds/game birds from predators.
It seems that the issue isn’t fully appreciated by landowners/managers/farmers/their advisors because they drive around in Land Rovers, trucks and tractors which enable them to see over mechanically trimmed hedges which block the views of the majority of us in ‘normal’ cars.
A win:win solution seems to be traditional laying of roadside hedges. That process reduces the height to enable views of this nationally designated landscape, and creates a thicker and more robust habitat for wildlife. Apart from getting those landowners, managers, farmers and their advisors on the same wavelength, there has been the issue of cost. However, now that we have a three-year (rather than one-year at a time) programme for Farming in Protected Landscapes, there appears to be a significant opportunity to work with farm clusters to get roadside hedges laid within this NL, largely with Defra money covering the costs. It seems that more than an element of coordination is needed, otherwise hedgelayers may get confusing messages, and in any case they will need advance notice to organise their work programmes. While some people may feel this is an opportunity to involve volunteers, their engagement might be more appropriate in supporting roles for professional practitioners in visually sensitive locations.
Please get in touch if you’re interested in finding out more. We have Defra resources (FiPL) to cover much of the costs of the schemes that would meet the landscape, nature, people and place criteria. Email us at info@cranbornechase.org.uk