Countryside stewardship hedges

[Fubar]

Contemplating putting a bit of land into nectar mix and bird food plus some grass margins that are already in place as buffer strips. I understand that all hedges around the field parcel that has a c s option in it are only allowed to be trimmed every other year. But road side hedges can still be trimmed for safety. Would that be all 3 sides of the hedge or just road side and top, leaving the field side?
Also, what happens if the hedge is a farm boundary hedge and the neighbour wants to trim the top when he does his side? Do I have to tell him he can't trim it or can I get away with just having my side uncut?
What happens if a neighbour is in a scheme too? Can we alternate cutting the top of the hedge so it therefore gets done every year!?
I understand that I can get paid 80 p per m to only trim every 3 years. Has anyone done this? What sort of state are the hedges in after and can they still be failed?
Father believes passionately in trimming every year and says the hedges are in worse condition if left for 2 or 3 years.

 

[GeorgeK]

Worth having a look at the 'arable CS offer', it's much simplified and does not include hedge management although the options are very limited. As I understand it, roadside hedges are not included in stewardship, the whole hedge can be cut every year.
If it's your hedge, it has to be cut according to the rules, a neighbour cutting it would still mean a non compliance

 

[Goweresque]

Worth having a look at the 'arable CS offer', it's much simplified and does not include hedge management although the options are very limited. As I understand it, roadside hedges are not included in stewardship, the whole hedge can be cut every year.
If it's your hedge, it has to be cut according to the rules, a neighbour cutting it would still mean a non compliance

Thats going to cause a few arguments then, if Farmer A goes into a scheme and its his hedge on the boundary with Farmer B, and the hedge is growing out into Farmer B's land. Surely B is legally entitled to cut the hedge back to the legal boundary?

 

[neilo]

Contemplating putting a bit of land into nectar mix and bird food plus some grass margins that are already in place as buffer strips. I understand that all hedges around the field parcel that has a c s option in it are only allowed to be trimmed every other year. But road side hedges can still be trimmed for safety. Would that be all 3 sides of the hedge or just road side and top, leaving the field side?
Also, what happens if the hedge is a farm boundary hedge and the neighbour wants to trim the top when he does his side? Do I have to tell him he can't trim it or can I get away with just having my side uncut?
What happens if a neighbour is in a scheme too? Can we alternate cutting the top of the hedge so it therefore gets done every year!?
I understand that I can get paid 80 p per m to only trim every 3 years. Has anyone done this? What sort of state are the hedges in after and can they still be failed?
Father believes passionately in trimming every year and says the hedges are in worse condition if left for 2 or 3 years.

I can’t answer most of your questions, as i’m Not farming in England. However, I do have a 130m length of hedge that is under Glastir, cutting 1/3 each year. The only reason that bit went in is because it’s 30m away from a d*ckhead’s garden fence, who needed to have his view disrupted (it was either that, or a new site for a muckheap). It’s also opened up the funding to double fence that length, so I can turn that little patch into a paddock in time.

For the purpose intended it’s worked well, and the hedge is very tall by year two (sheep grazing keeps the sides in check to about 4’), by year 3 it’s approaching small trees, and looks awful when it’s slashed back down. We do grow hedges very well here though, getting much more growth in a year than we did back in Glos.

Whoever thought up the idea of cutting every 3 years needs to be locked in a darkened room until they come to their senses imo.