This Note gives a specification for the physical steps necessary in the dismantling and rebuilding of Cornish hedges during the installation of pipelines and other cross country services where the hedge crossing does not exceed 30m in width. It provides opportunities for the incorporation of beneficial biodiversity and geological features within the design of development (Planning Policy Statement 9). Operators shall evaluate the environmental characteristics of the existing Cornish hedges using the Hedge (& Wall) Importance Test (www.cornishhedges.com). This Note does not refer to the various permits, wayleaves, consents or other paperwork which may be needed before, during or after the hedging works are carried out.

Stone clad hedges with an earth core are Cornish hedges. A stone-clad hedge with a rubble stone core, or other stone or boulder build, is termed a stone hedge. A bank with no stone is called a turf hedge (sometimes named a "Devon bank"). A hedgerow without a bank is referred to as a hedgerow or thorn hedge. Some hedges contain several courses of stone in the lower half, then turfed to the top. For repair and reinstatement, the stone component of the hedge shall be treated as for a Cornish hedge and the turf component for a turf hedge. The Code of Good Practice for Cornish Hedges is published by the Guild of Cornish Hedgers and available at www.cornishhedges.com Other Codes for stone hedges and turf hedges are in preparation.

A Cornish hedge is owned either half-and-half by the adjoining landowners or wholly by one or other. Where the hedge is owned wholly by one farmer, he also owns the land under the hedge for at least its full width, and has a right of entry on to his neighbour's land to maintain the hedge. He has the say as to how both sides of an opening in the hedge are to be restored by the operator. Special regard will be had to roadside boundaries, consulting the local highways authority before any works are undertaken. Where the wayleave passes through pasture land, turf will be dug within the wayleave, as detailed below, sufficient to rebuild the hedge openings in the manner specified.

All tree growths within the hedge wayleave shall be severed at about 0.5m above ground level, removed from the immediate vicinity of the hedge and disposed of. A working space 1m wide shall be kept clear of stone and other material along the hedge line.

Working carefully from each side, all stones, including foundation stones (grounders) below ground level, shall be removed, sorted to be free of earth and plant material, and stored in the vicinity of the hedge. Each course of stone shall be stored separately in sequence.

Working carefully from each side, all earth and plant material shall be removed and stored, separate from the stones, in the vicinity of the hedge. The earth shall be stored separately from the plant material.

The pipeline trench shall be filled with excavated subsoil material and consolidated. The ground levelled at the original foundation line, and the grounders relaid so as to provide a stable foundation for the rebuilt hedge.Using the stones obtained from the hedge, supplemented by more of the same type if necessary, the hedge shall be rebuilt in accordance with the Code of Good Practice for Cornish hedges, coursing the stones in the original style and using the original materials in the same courses. Special care shall be taken where it rejoins the existing hedge, so that upon inspection there shall be no interruption of the original style. The plant material from the opening shall be used to top off the repaired hedge. The finished height of the new section shall be 10% higher than the adjoining original hedge to allow for settlement.

Any layer of vegetable matter and soil on top of the hedge shall be first removed and stored separately. Then working carefully from each side, all stones forming the outer layer of cladding stones, including foundation stones (grounders) below ground level, shall be removed, sorted to be free of earth and plant material, and stored in the vicinity of the hedge. Each course of stone shall be stored separately in sequence. At the same time the loose stones filling the hedge shall be removed and stored separately.

Any infilling of depressions or excavation shall be properly consolidated and brought to original contours so as to provide a stable foundation for the rebuilt hedge.

Using the stones obtained from the hedge, supplemented by more of the same if necessary, the hedge shall be rebuilt in accordance with the Code of Good Practice for Stone Hedges. Special care shall be taken where it rejoins the existing hedge, so that upon inspection there shall be no interruption of the original style. Boulder or other types of stone hedge shall be rebuilt in their original style.

The hedgebank shall be removed, storing the turf separately from the infilling soil. Any woody topgrowth is to be separated for burning. All hedging stones found in the hedge shall be stored separately and made available for hedge ends.

Any infilling of depressions or excavation shall be properly consolidated and brought to original contours so as to provide a stable foundation for the rebuilt hedge.

Turves (tobs or tubbans) cut by plough, digger blade or by Cornish shovel shall be 150mm thick and diamond shaped. The method of cutting the turves and rebuilding a turf hedge shall be as described in the Code of Good Practice for Turf Hedges. The hedgerow plants shall be replaced by a planting of shrubs of the same single or mixed species as those originally present.

Any infilling of depressions or excavation shall be properly consolidated and brought to original contours so as to provide a stable foundation for the replacement hedge. The ground shall be restored with a minimum depth of 40cm and to a minimum width of 1m of topsoil along the line of hedgerow. The site should be prepared by the laying of and securing black polythene mulch (1m width). The hedgerow plants shall be replaced by a planting of shrubs of the same single or mixed species as those originally present. Plants should be sourced in Cornwall, well grown and not less than 0.5m in height. They should be planted through the polythene 30cm apart in the row, in two staggered rows, 50 cm between the rows (8 plants per metre run of hedge) and protected with rabbit guards.

The site shall be cleared and restored to its original profile, with surplus vegetative and woody material being disposed of. Note that no seeding or planting shall be done, other than specified above.

The rebuilt section of hedge shall be fenced on both sides with pig netting and three strands of plain or barbed wire according to the wishes of the owner of the hedge, the fence being erected 1m from the hedge, with the posts 2m apart, rejoining the hedge 2m distant from the rebuilt section.