{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025/schedule-1/paragraph-1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025/schedule-1/paragraph-1.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/2025/101",
  "legislation_title": "The Farming with Nature Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/farming-with-nature-scheme-regulations-northern-ireland-2025",
  "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/1",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "1",
  "heading": "Eligible scheme actions; planting new hedgerows",
  "text": "An applicant planting a new hedgerow must–\n(a) plant a hedgerow–\n(i) where no hedgerow currently exists; or\n(ii) where there is a continuous gap of 10 metres or more between existing hedgerows;\n(b) ensure each individual length of new hedgerow planted is a minimum of 10 metres;\n(c) plant three or more species of native hedge plants listed in Schedule 4 with an average of 6 native plants per metre;\n(d) protect newly planted hedgerows from damage by grazing livestock or wildlife on all sides;\n(e) manage the hedgerow to prevent growth being negatively affected by weeds;\n(f) manage and maintain the full length of hedgerow planted;\n(g) complete all work related to this action by 28th February 2027;\n(h) retain evidence, as the Department may specify, of the quantity and species of native hedge plants used;\n(i) not plant a new hedgerow–\n(i) on permanent grassland sensitive areas;\n(ii) against an existing hedgerow;\n(iii) on the field side of a 2 metre riparian buffer strip;\n(iv) under the shade of an existing treeline or woodland; or\n(v) against a stone wall; and\n(j) ensure if erecting protective fencing it meets the eligibility criteria in Schedule 2.",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 1 para. 1 substituted (25.6.2026) by The Farming with Nature Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/105), regs. 1(1), 2(7)(a)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2025/101/schedule/1/paragraph/1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T00:25:53.048342+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}