Government and Local Policy
The Environment Bill was published by the Government in October 2019. This policy statement puts the environment at the centre of policy making. It brings about urgent and meaningful action to deal with the environmental and climate crisis we are facing. It sets an ambitious framework to help deliver on the government’s commitment to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state.
The Environment Bill is expected to engage and empower citizens, local government and businesses to deliver environmental outcomes and create a positive legacy for future generations.
In recent years the UK, government has strengthened protections for ancient woodlands, veteran trees and other irreplaceable habitats in the revised National Planning Policy Framework and provided almost £6 million to the new Northern Forest. In the 25 Year Environment Plan; Government pledged to plant 11 million new trees and one million urban trees. The Environment Bill is expected to introduce ‘Duty to Consult’ which will give the public the opportunity to understand why a street tree is being felled and to express any concerns regarding this. The Bill is also expected to introduce Forestry Enforcement Measures which strengthens the Forestry Commission’s power to clamp down on illegal tree felling across England, ensuring the Commission has the powers to continue to protect and maintain our woods and forests.
LCC Highways Tree Policy The County Council's approach and advice to managing trees on or near the highway can be found in the Highway Management Plan and in the tree safety and tree related guidance.
Any proposed planting of trees in the highway should be done in accordance with the guidance and requirements set out in the documents mentioned above and will require a consent licence; including agreement on appropriate species, installation of root barriers and maintenance of the tree until it is established (minimum 5 years). Chorley Council and LCC to work closely to discuss the ongoing maintenance of the trees. The county council would welcome community consultation be undertaken by Chorley Council to ensure resident and other interested parties are involved in the development of the green street scene. Where highway schemes are proposed in the future appropriate tree planting will be considered.
‘Wherever possible, the county council will manage its green estate so that there is no net loss of habitat or ecological value, and subject to available resources, seek opportunities to enhance biodiversity’.
The Management Plan also states that objectives for maintaining the green estate include:
• ‘to support parish and district councils who wish to implement initiatives that will enhance the visual, amenity or biodiversity of their local estate’ and, 15
• ‘to create a high-quality green estate that makes space for trees and maximizes the opportunities to enhance biodiversity by incorporating the planting of appropriate varieties of trees’.
The county council will not replace any trees they have been felled for whatever reason. The authority will however allow a district council to fund a replacement tree of a suitable species and will adopt and maintain such trees.