Ecological considerations
Works to tree and hedgerows should also have regard to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The loss of or harm to features which provide breeding, roosting or feeding grounds to protected species could constitute an offence under this Act. As such, you may wish to ensure that you have undertaken appropriate checks and/or surveys to establish there are no protected species present before commencing work.
Such surveys may also be necessary to accompany a planning application, especially where there are ecological designations on site or in close proximity (eg SSSIs, Ancient Hedgerows or Woodland, etc). You can access an ecological calendar here which sets out the appropriate times of the year to carry out such surveys.