Hedge scheme's appeal ‘growing'

CORK County Council is to approve 32 applications under the Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme.

Last year, Municipal District officer Justin England said the Council approved 19 applications under the inaugural scheme, worth €20,000, which was funded under the General Municipal Allowance. This year, the officer estimated that the pay-out would amount to approximately €14,000 and he told the members of the Municipal District of West Cork that the appeal of the scheme, which is designed to manage hedgerows, is ‘growing.’

The local authority chairman, Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind), asked if further applications could be made in the New Year – before the February 29th deadline for cutting – but Mr England said the application deadline has, in fact, already closed.

The Community Hedge Cutting Grant Scheme allows the local authority to pay individuals or a group of landowners €50 per km for approved schemes.