- if you need to remove a hedge (to get the length) that's a big problem, but if that hedge disappears before the planning application goes in......
Except that the planning officers will then take a look at historic land use and ask when the hedge dissapeared. A significant number of hedgerows will have at least one protected species living in it or beside it. You are then on the wrong side of the law with regard to destruction of habitat for protected species which carries a substantial fine.
A bit pedantic perhaps (especially as the original advice is hypothetical) but if acted on, not a clever route to go.
DeepC