Hedgerows, one of the defining features of our countryside, are vitally important to wildlife

News that farmer Fraser Jones has withdrawn his application to remove 11.3km of hedgerows, near Shrewsbury, is today welcomed by The Wildlife Trusts. The news comes on the final day for comments on this case. Had the County Council granted the application, 37 individual fields would have been lost. Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscapes for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Hedgerows, one of the defining features of the countryside, are vitally important to wildlife. A recent survey of an English hedge revealed the presence of 1,671 species including butterflies, moths, bees, birds, small mammals and numerous invertebrates.” A public outcry against the plan resulted in more than 350 comments being submitted to Shropshire County Council from local people, leading environmentalists and academics around the country.

Source:
The Wildlife Trusts
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/2013/01/17/relief-over-withdrawal-he…