Landscapes
Landscape contributes significantly to the identity of the area, providing the setting for everyday life in the village, town and countryside. The distinctiveness of the local landscape character is reflected in the local topography, pattern of tree cover, field size and shape, nature of boundaries, form of settlement and building materials.
When considering development proposals the borough council will have regard to the impact of landscape with particular reference to Landscape Character and Special Landscape Areas.
The landscape character of Suffolk has been mapped and further information can be found at Suffolk Landscape.
Special landscape areas have the characteristics of one of the categories listed below:
- river valleys which still possess traditional grazing meadows with their hedgerows, dykes and associated flora and fauna;
- the Brecks, including remaining heath land, form heath recently ploughed, other arable areas, river valleys and the characteristic lines and belts of Scots pine;
- historic parklands and gardens which still possess significant features of their former status;
- other areas of countryside where topography and natural vegetation, particularly broad-leaved woodland, combine to produce an area of special landscape quality and character.
There are five Special Landscape Areas within St Edmundsbury. The Little Ouse Valley, Lark Valley and the Brecks, the area south of Bury St Edmunds including Ickworth Park and the historic parklands at Ampton, Culford, Euston and Hengrave. Further information can also be found on our Listed parks and gardens page.
For policies affecting development proposals refer to the Replacement St Edmundsbury Borough Local Plan 2016.
Hedges
Hedgerow protection
Under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, it is unlawful to remove or destroy certain hedgerows without permission from the council. The regulations require any person to give the local planning authority six weeks notice of their intention to remove any hedge on or bordering agricultural land, forestry, commons, greens or nature reserves, stating their reason. There is no charge for this. Download the Hedgerow Removal form (PDF 804Kb) and Hedgerow removal guidance notes (PDF 25Kb). Proper management of hedges does not require permission and residential hedges are not covered by these regulations.
If a hedge is judged to be 'important' by the necessary historical, landscape or biological criteria, the council may serve a Hedgerow Retention Notice thereby protecting the hedge from removal.
For further information visit Natural England.
High hedges legislation
The right hedge can be an ideal garden boundary and help to bring in new wildlife to your garden, but the wrong hedge can cause unwanted impacts such as loss of light. Where this affects a neighbour there can be grounds for a formal complaint to the council under the 'High Hedges' legislation that was introduced in 2005. If you are thinking of making a complaint please note the following:
- The legislation only concerns the height of hedges that are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen. It does not cover individual trees, deciduous hedges or concern the width of hedges.
- The hedge must be more than two metres high to be the subject of a complaint and the council cannot require that it be removed or cut below two metres in height.
- You do not have to get permission to grow a hedge above two metres and when a hedge grows over two metres the local authority does not automatically take action, unless a formal complaint is made and upheld.
- If you complain to the council, it does not follow automatically that they will order the hedge owner to reduce the height of the hedge. We have to weigh up all the issues and consider each case on its merits. It may be decided that the hedge can reasonably remain at a reduced height that is greater than two metres or that no action is necessary.
- Before the council can become involved, those affected need to provide evidence that they have attempted to resolve the problem with the owner of the hedge. This evidence will need to be detailed in your complaint.
- The council charges a fee for dealing with complaints about high hedges. The fee is £300 with a 50% reduction for complainants in receipt of benefits.
Download the high hedges complaint form (PDF 51Kb) here as well as the leaflet High hedges complaining to the council (PDF 396Kb).
In dealing with complaints about loss of light the council also refers to guidance in the Hedge height and light loss leaflet (PDF 491Kb).
If you have other questions to ask or to request a complaint form you can contact the Tree and Landscape Officer, Jaki Fisher, on 01284 757346 or email trees.planning@stedsbc.gov.uk
Further advice and information can be obtained from:
