Service · Hedge removal
When the hedge has to go — for a new driveway, a wall, a fence, or because it is just wrong for the position. I take it out, grind the stumps, and leave the ground ready for whatever comes next.
Removing a long-established hedge on Thanet chalk often surprises homeowners. The roots have laced sideways into the thin marl-free topsoil rather than going down — you can have a 50-year-old privet hedge whose root mass is in the top 20cm of soil but extends 1.5m out from the line. Stump grinding picks up the main stems but the lateral root mass needs hand-clearing where you are planning to plant or build on the strip afterwards.
If any part of the hedge sits within reach of the Thanet Coast SSSI edge — everything from Stone Bay north through Joss Bay, Kingsgate and around the North Foreland — I do the survey before the quote, not on the day. Herring-gull nesting sites at the cliff face and any active nest under the SSSI's protection change the removal window, sometimes to the point of pushing the whole job to October. Better to know that at quote stage.
Removal triggers more careful CA checks than cutting or reduction. Even hedging-species removal is allowed without a notice — but if there are any standards within the hedge (a holly, a yew, a mature holm oak) over the 75mm threshold, those need six-week notice or a TPO check. I do this before quoting.
Standard hedging clippings and small branches go to Margate HWRC. Larger trunk wood from removed standards is sold to a local fence-merchant when usable, chipped for green-bin disposal when not. Nothing burned on site.
Removal pricing depends almost entirely on access. A 10m hedge with vehicle access for a chipper and grinder is straightforward — typically £600 – £1,200. The same hedge in a four-floor Gladstone Road terrace front garden with everything wheelbarrow-out is materially more work. Fixed price, per job.
Always on every job
A proper job or you pay nothing 10% off for pensioners 10% off repeat jobs over £500For removals, a quick on-site visit beats remote quoting — I need to walk the access route and check what is underneath. Free, no obligation. hello@broadstairshedges.co.uk or 07763 100 477.