The proposals would ensure councils can’t cut down
street trees without first consulting communities.
The measures reflect the important role trees in towns
and cities play in improving our health and wellbeing,
as well as providing crucial environmental benefits.
Launching a consultation on
a raft of new forestry measures, the Secretary of
State unveiled proposals designed to ensure local
people have a bigger say over what happens to the trees
in their communities.
The proposals include:
- Making sure communities have their say on whether
street trees should be felled with requirements for
councils to consult local residents;
- Responsibilities on councils to report on tree
felling and replanting to make sure we can safeguard
our environment for future generations;
- Giving the Forestry Commission more powers to
tackle illegal tree felling and strengthen protection
of wooded landscapes.
Environment Secretary said:
It’s right that the views of local people are at the
heart of any decision that affects their community –
and the futures of the trees that line their streets
are no different. Trees have often been rooted in our
towns and cities for many years, and are undoubtedly
part of our local heritage.
These measures will enhance the protection given to
urban trees, ensuring residents are properly
consulted before trees are felled and safeguarding
our urban environment for future generations.
The government’s Tree Champion Sir William Worsley
said:
Urban trees are an amazingly valuable natural
resource, and with this consultation I hope we can
take further steps towards strong and robust
protections to ensure their futures.
By planting the right trees in the right place we can
ensure that they continue to improve health and
wellbeing and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors.
Forestry Commission Director of Forest Services Richard
Greenhous said:
The Forestry Commission recognises that our trees and
woodlands are under increasing pressure, especially
in and around urban areas. With this consultation we
hope to be able to better protect more of our
cherished woodlands from illegal felling.
This consultation forms part of the government’s
ongoing work to protect and promote our precious trees,
including our commitment to plant one million trees in
our towns and cities in addition to eleven million
trees nationwide over the course of this parliament.
Protecting and planting more trees is a key part of our
ambitious 25-Year
Environment Plan, which will ensure we leave this
environment in a better state for the next generation.
