A farmer from Tolleshunt Major, near Maldon, looks likely to escape prosecution for illegally removing a hedge on his land.

Alec Ferguson, of Grove Farm Road, removed part of the hedge which consisted of mainly blackthorn, plus oak and wild rose, near Hawthorn Farm poultry houses in August this year.

He told Maldon District Council he had begun to remove part of the hedge and became aware he may have done it illegally after a "spoof" hedge preservation notice was pinned to it.

Mr Ferguson indicated he would reinstate the hedge as recompense for his action.

Investigation by council officers revealed the hedge was "important" under Hedgerow Regulations, and it is recorded as an integral part of a field system pre-dating the Enclosure Acts.

The council has decided Mr Ferguson co-operated fully with its enquiries and it is satisfied he made a genuine mistake.

In a report before next week's north west area planning sub committee, Andrew White, Maldon's planning chief is recommending a hedgerow replacement is served, and no prosecution follows.

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