Article 27 Felling or lopping of trees and the removal of hedgerowsI1

The undertaker may fell or lop any tree or shrub within or overhanging land within the Order limits or cut back its roots, if it reasonably believes it to be necessary to do so to prevent the tree or shrub from obstructing or interfering with the construction, maintenance or operation of the authorised project or any apparatus used with the authorised project.

In carrying out any activity authorised by paragraph (1), the undertaker must not cause unnecessary damage to any tree or shrub and must pay compensation to any person for any loss or damage arising from such activity.

The undertaker may remove any hedgerows within the Order limits that may be required for the purposes of the carrying out of the authorised development.

The undertaker is not required to comply with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997^f1 in exercising the powers of paragraph (3) and it is not guilty of an offence under regulation 7(1) of those Regulations if it does so.

Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (2), or as to the amount of compensation, is to be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

In this article “hedgerow” has the same meaning as in the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.