Woodland and Hedgerow Priorities

Woodlands and hedgerows sit at the heart of local nature recovery. In England, national targets include increasing woodland and tree canopy cover, while Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) map where new habitat will count most. In Wales, woodland creation and well managed hedgerows are central to climate and nature goals and to Section 6 duties. Parish, town and community councils can make measurable progress by placing small projects in the right places and planning simple aftercare.

Key points for councils

1) England woodland targets and what they mean locally

England is working toward an increase in total tree and woodland cover to at least 16.5 percent by 2050, with an interim uplift by 2030 from a 2022 baseline. This points to more small woodlands, copses and street or park trees where they strengthen existing habitat rather than create isolated blocks.

Council takeaway Map where a short run of trees or a pocket copse would connect two existing features such as a park edge and a hedgerow. Use your LNRS opportunity map to focus effort on corridors and nodes.

2) Hedgerow priorities and good management in England

Hedgerows are high value linear habitats for birds, bats, pollinators and small mammals. Current policy signals ambitious miles of planting and restoration by the 2030s and 2040s and sets out baseline protections on agricultural land including a spring and summer cutting ban and a buffer to protect nesting birds.

Council takeaway Plan hedge gap-filling and new hedge lines where they reconnect fragmented green space. Write in the cutting window and buffer rules to avoid conflicts with wildlife and residents.

3) LNRS in England guide where habitat creation counts

LNRS are statutory spatial plans that set local priorities and map opportunity areas for habitat creation and restoration. These maps will influence planning and investment and help councils choose sites that contribute to wider networks.

Council takeaway Identify your LNRS area, download the opportunity mapping and mark parish sites that sit on or near priority links. Prioritise those sites in your budget and project list.

4) Wales woodland goals and the role of town and community councils

Wales has set out ambitious woodland creation pathways to support climate and nature targets. Delivery depends on well sited planting and reliable establishment care. Hedgerows are recognised as key corridors and as carbon stores in the wider farmed landscape.

Council takeaway Use Section 6 planning to record small copses, cemetery edge planting and hedge restoration that link existing habitats. Pair planting with simple aftercare such as mulch and watering so young trees and whips survive their first summers.

5) Aftercare and monitoring make the gains stick

Many new plantings fail through lack of watering, mulch or guard removal. Light monitoring helps you evidence progress and adjust maintenance.

Council takeaway Budget for establishment care in year one and year two. Set fixed-point photos and a simple survival check. Submit sightings and habitat updates to your local environmental records centre.

6) Hedgerows and flooding what councils should know

Well sited and well managed hedgerows slow overland flow, trap sediment, improve soil structure at field edges and increase infiltration. In parks, cemeteries and along paths, hedge lines and associated rough grass margins can act as shallow flow breaks, reducing the speed and depth of surface water moving downslope during heavy rain. Where hedge lines connect to trees, swales or small wet features, the effect can be amplified at parish scale.

Council takeaway Prioritise hedge links on gentle slopes above footpaths, roads and play areas where surface water collects. Pair hedge planting with rough grass margins or shallow swales so water has space to slow and soak. Add basic maintenance to keep bases porous and free from sediment build-up.

What to do next a quick checklist for councils

• Review council land for one small woodland block and one hedge link that sit on an LNRS opportunity or strengthen a local corridor.

• Cost establishment care including mulch, guards, watering and a winter planting session with volunteers.

• Add a light monitoring line with fixed-point photos and a simple survival check.

• In Wales log actions in your Section 6 plan and reporting schedule.

How Green Council Biodiversity Solutions can help

We support councils with proportionate baseline checks, outline planting and hedgerow plans aligned with LNRS in England or Section 6 reporting in Wales, simple establishment guidance and monitoring you can maintain. We do not promise outcomes we cannot control, but we will help you design realistic and fundable projects that contribute to woodland and hedgerow priorities.

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