Trees and Woodland Strategy
Bexley's strategic approach to tree management and new tree planting
Policies
7.1 Protection and Development
The Council will:
7.1.1
issue Tree Preservation Orders on individual trees, groups of trees and woodlands which are considered worthy of protection and under threat;
7.1.2
issue Hedgerow Retention Notices
on hedgerows which are considered important by Section 97 of the Environment
Act 1995;
7.1.3
maintain current records of all Tree Preservation Orders and monitor the replacement of trees protected
by them;
 7.1.4
consider prosecuting breaches of Tree Preservations Orders, if the problem could not first
be resolved by positive action;
7.1.5
consider fully existing trees and woodland, on or adjacent
to proposed development, so that worthy trees are successfully retained and safeguarded;
7.1.6
require the submission of a tree survey (to include a plan locating trees on the site) as part of a planning application
where trees and woodlands may be affected;
7.1.7
apply and enforce British Standard 5837:1991 'Trees in Relation to Construction' as
a minimum standard for planning applications and seek expert advice when necessary;
7.1.8
when granting planning permission set conditions for the, retention, protection, planting
and maintenance of trees and other plants;
7.1.9
use planning conditions for the short term (up to 5 years) protection
of trees;
7.1.10
utilise commuted
sums and Section 106 Agreements under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990,
to ensure appropriate long term maintenance of trees and woodlands on new development
sites;
7.1.11
increase the awareness of architects, developers and planners to the value of trees, and the methods for protecting and integrating them within new developments;
7.1.12
consider Tree Preservation Orders for trees and woodlands, which are considered to be under threat on:
- land which is no longer the responsibility of the Council, e.g. ex-housing land;
- former National Health Service land;
7.1.13
include for the protection and provision of trees and woodlands within lease agreements between the Council and leasees.
7.1.14
inform the Forestry Authority when
trees have been felled, when felling licences were required.
7.2 Woodlands
The Council will:
7.2.1
Develop management plans for Council owned woodlands. The multiple objectives of conservation, landscape, timber, recreation and education should be pursued with the priorities being determined by the character and history of the woodland, its contribution to the landscape, conservation and recreation potential. Maintenance and improvement of boundaries, footpaths, drainage systems and public information are essential aspects of woodland management. Where appropriate woodland and park management plans will be integrated;
7.2.2
endeavour to improve access to woodlands for the whole community;
7.2.3
encourage community involvement and awareness, possibly through the tree warden scheme,
woodland open days, guided walks, tree planting and maintenance events and school
visits;
7.2.4
improve timber quality wherever
possible by use of suitable species, correct management and maintenance regimes
and implementation of operations such as replacement planting, high pruning and
selective thinning;
7.2.5
endeavour to remove
non native trees from Council owned ancient woodlands;
7.2.6
develop management techniques to ensure the development of multi-aged structure woodland
and, retain standing dead wood in woodlands and open spaces where public safety
will not be endangered.
7.2.7
identify areas of land suitable for new woodland establishment;
7.2.8
encourage private landowners to undertake active management of all woodlands in their ownership
and establish new woodlands;
7.2.9
purchase timber and wood products from sustainable managed sources and, encourage the
use of coppice material cut from Council-owned woodlands in parks and open spaces;
7.3 Street Trees
The Council will:
7.3.1
undertake cyclical inspections of all street trees and prepare a computerised inventory for enhanced management of the tree stock;
7.3.2
introduce a cyclical maintenance regime for all street trees;
7.3.3
create a street tree population composed of mixed species and mixed age classes;
7.3.4
plan and execute the replacement
of ageing street tree populations;
7.3.5
endeavour to plant and maintain sufficient trees to sustain and, where possible, enhance
the total number of street trees;
7.3.6
identify and protect potential street tree-planting sites for the future;
7.3.7
make full use of roundabouts, embankments and wide grass verges adjacent to roads, for tree planting;
7.3.8
endeavour to pursue measures to minimise damage to the health and condition of street trees, including threats from highway refurbishment, statutory undertakers, road salt applications, vandalism, etc.
7.4 Parks and Open Spaces (including Cemeteries, Housing and Schools' Land)
The Council will:
7.4.1
 endeavour to undertake surveys and inspections of trees and woodlands and gather more detailed information on the extent, condition and structure of the tree population;
7.4.2
ensure that the provision of trees and woodlands is fully considered and integrated within management plans for parks and open spaces;
7.4.3
protect and where possible replace important tree features, including avenues, copses, specimen and ancient trees;
7.4.4
plant a diverse range of species, especially within the prestige parks and developing arboretum;
7.4.5
seek to increase tree plantings
to develop a network of wooded landscapes and green corridors;
7.4.6
encourage the planting and replacement of hedgerows.
7.5 Tree Planting and Regeneration
The Council will:
7.5.1
undertake a thorough site appraisal
before carrying out tree planting;
7.5.2
maintain record systems of all trees
planted on Council land, including objectives and future management requirements;
7.5.3
monitor the success of newly planted trees;
7.5.4
ensure that new tree planting does not reduce the value of existing landscapes or nature conservation;
7.5.5
plant species appropriate to the conditions and character of the site;
7.5.6
utilise a wide range of tree species and planting sizes according to the objectives of planting;
7.5.7
encourage natural regeneration
for ancient woodlands or the planting of local native stock.
7.6 Community Involvement
The Council will:
7.6.1
encourage new tree planting and maintenance on private land;
7.6.2
encourage positive management, lead by example;
7.6.3
develop programmes of guided walks, talks, open days, presentations
and exhibitions;
7.6.4
provide opportunities for active participation
with volunteer groups, nature conservation bodies and residents;
7.6.5
endeavour to establish a tree warden scheme in conjunction with the British Trust for Conservation
volunteers and the Tree Council;
7.6.6
continue to increase public involvement
in tree planting using the Adopt-a-Tree scheme;
7.6.7
encourage and promote
where appropriate, initiatives such as National Tree Week, The Great Trees of
London and the Council's own Adopt-a-Tree scheme.
 7.7
Funding and Resources
The Council will:
7.7.1
seek grant aid wherever possible for tree and woodland establishment and management from bodies such as the Forestry Authority, English Nature and Countryside Commission;
7.7.2
improve private sponsorship and attempt to attract new forms of funding;
7.7.3
realise and improve the value of timber, wood and by-products either for the Council's own use or to external markets;
7.7.4
ensure that any income received as a result of tree and woodland management activities is utilised for their long term benefit;
7.7.5
allocate finance for the management of Council owned trees and woodlands according to:
- their physical requirements;
- the benefits they provide to the community.
7.8 Quality
The Council will:
7.8.1
support research and the dissemination of advice, especially that provided by the Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service;
7.8.2
support professional bodies and
organisations including the Arboricultural Association, the London Tree Officers'
Association, the Tree Council and the London Tree Forum;
7.8.3
provide
adequate and appropriate training for staff dealing with tree and woodland issues;
7.8.4
utilise
best methods and practices by reference to relevant British Standards, Codes
of Practice and Guidelines;
7.8.5
utilise
current technology for tree and woodland management. This should be constantly
updated to enable the use of new equipment and computer hardware and software
as it becomes available.
7.9 Communication and Information
The Council will:
7.9.1
provide information for internal use on needs and problem areas;
7.9.2
publish and make available information relating to trees and woodlands within
the Borough;
7.9.3
provide opportunities for consultation
and education.
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