Hedgerows often retain important ancient woodland edge and scrub habitats as well as mature, overmature and ancient trees.

Ancient hedges, which date back to mediaeval times and before, may be relicts of ancient woodland left from when our ancestors first cleared woodland to bring them into cultivation. There is considerable evidence that where there is continuity of habitat, age and species structure, it is of great value for wildlife.

So the ATF and WT do not consider that sufficient attention has been given to recognising the important role of ancient trees and relict ancient woodland in the revised proposals.

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