Representation by British Hedgehog Preservation Society (British Hedgehog Preservation Society)
- Date submitted
- 26 March 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Thank you for contacting us about this consultation. Hedgehogs numbers have declined by up to 75% in rural areas since the year 2000 and research shows that numbers are still falling. A major factor in this decline is fragmentation of their habitat. Hedgehogs need to be able to travel through areas which have an abundance of their natural nesting areas, mates and foods and tend to travel along boundaries. As their name suggests, they use hedges to nest in and travel along and the leaf litter at the base of hedges harbours their natural foods, so the planned reduction in hedgerows will affect them. Any measures that can be taken to lessen the effects could help to slow the decline of this local population of hedgehogs. While including gaps in new fencing is good practice, it is important to ensure that as few as possible existing hedgerows are disturbed or removed and that the presence of hedgehogs is checked for at the time where this does have to happen. Where hedges must be removed, the planting of new native hedges will help in the long term. A couple of useful documents containing best practice and guidance can be found here: [REDACTED]