Farmer ordered to replace medieval hedge

16 September 1998

Farmer ordered to replace medieval hedge

A FARMER who grubbed up half-a-mile of 14th century hedgerows to make way for his potato-growing machinery has been told he must restore them under new countryside protection laws.

Ian Prior has already been fined £2000 and ordered to pay £4000 costs after becoming the first landowner to be convicted under the legislation.

Herefordshire Councils southern planning committee has issued a replacement notice under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

Landscaping experts estimate it will cost Mr Prior up to £10000 to replace the hedge.

• The Daily Telegraph 16/09/98 page 8