Environment
Secretary Michael Gove has announced plans to create greater protections for
trees in urban areas.
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 consultationon 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 Michael Gove 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.
