2 January 2019The Government is consulting on new measures to make it clearer who is responsible for decisions concerning the felling of street trees and what process they should follow.
It proposes several new measures, which include:
1. Introducing two new duties on local authorities, a duty to:
a. consult with the local community on the felling of street trees
b. report on tree felling and replanting.
2. Creating best practice guidance to support local authorities in drawing up a Tree and Woodland Strategy.
3. Giving the Forestry Commission more powers to deal with illegal tree felling and strengthen protection of wooded landscapes.
More details can be found at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/forestry/protecting-trees-and-woodlands/. The deadline for comments is 28th February.
SLCC will be responding to the consultation and would appreciate copies of any responses members or their councils may be submitting.
Could these and any other views you would like to be taken into account, be sent to the National Planning Advisor at [email protected] by Friday 15th February.
