No hedge thanks, it spoils the view
No hedge thanks, it spoils the view
By Johann Tasker
GOVERNMENT officials have refused to allow a conservation charity to plant a hedgerow on its Cambridgeshire farm because it will spoil the view.
The Countryside Restoration Trust has had an application to plant traditional hedgerows on either side of a sheep drove thrown out by Countryside Stewardship Scheme officials.
The drove runs through a 57 ha (140 acre) field bought with heritage lottery fund money in the village of Barton.
The charity, which has about 5000 members, wanted to recreate a traditional sheep drove with hedgerows on its farm so people could walk along a leafy ashway. The drove completes a circular walk between villages on the outskirts of Cambridge.
Robin Page, the trusts chairman, described the situation as ridiculous. He said: "They would only let us put a hedge along one side of the path because they said two hedges would spoil the view. To me thats an absurdity."
No comment
MAFF refused to comment on the incident. But it is an embarrassment for junior farm minister Elliott Morley who last week said he wanted 3000 more producers to sign up to the stewardship scheme. He offered extra payments to farmers who improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside.
Mr Page said the refusal to allow the hedgerow shows the stewardship scheme is failing to achieve its objectives, which include improving landscapes, wildlife habitats and historical features. The trusts aim is to restore habitats to bring back wildlife and the hedgerow would have done this, he added.
The issue is unlikely to go away. Mr Page, is an outspoken commentator on rural issues. He writes a fortnightly column in the Daily Telegraph and has already led a prominent campaign persuading the BBC not to axe One Man and His Dog, the sheep dog trial programme which he presents.
The Countryside Restoration Trust endeavours to show the public and farmers that agricultural land, attractive countryside and abundant wildlife can co-exist without impeding farm profitability. It believes sensible modern farming practices can be sustainable and dont necessarily have to be damaging to the environment. *
Robin Page: "Refusal is an absurdity."