Trees and Woodland Strategy
Appendix C
Unitary Development Plan - Existing Tree Policies
London Borough of Bexley's Unitary Development Plan, adopted in July 1996, contains four policies of direct relevance to the Trees and Woodland Strategy. The four policies, ENV34, 35, 36 and 37 are set out below:
Trees
Policy ENV34
The Council will, resources permitting, prepare and implement an urban tree strategy.
In recent years there has been increasing awareness, both politically and publicly, of trees in the environment and the benefits they provide. The Government acknowledged this when it set up Task Force Trees, a special unit of the Countryside Commission.
Since 1993, this awareness has gained additional momentum from many initiatives
such as the Task Force Trees 'Survey and Action Plan of London's Trees' and a
research report, 'Trees in Towns', published by the Department of Environment.
A principal conclusion of the 'Trees in Towns' report was the need for local
authorities to examine the tree stock within its boundary, both public and private,
and formulate a long-term strategy for the maintenance of existing trees, their
replacement and the planting of new trees.
It is, therefore, important to develop an Urban Tree Strategy as an integral
element of the Council's Environmental Strategy and Local Agenda 21. A framework
document for consultation and action is also proposed which includes the Council's
environment objectives for local sustainable development. An Urban Tree Strategy
will have an important role to play in contributing to these objectives.
Policy ENV35
The Council will seek the protection and long term retention of trees of amenity,
nature or landscape conservation value on development sites or elsewhere where
they might be at risk and, in appropriate cases, will require new tree and hedge
planting as part of a landscaping scheme for development proposals.
Policy ENV36
The Council will serve tree preservation orders on significant trees where development
pressures present abnormal risks or where the presence of trees as a group makes
an important contribution to the character of the surrounding area.
Policy ENV37
The Council will encourage private or voluntary initiatives for new tree planting.
Trees make a major contribution to the Borough's appearance. They relieve the general conformity of large suburban areas and soften the harsh appearance of modern building lines. They may also be important to the ecology of an area. The Council, therefore, places a high priority on their protection. When development is proposed on a site containing trees of significance, it will be necessary to negotiate the layout to ensure that unless it has suitably designed foundations, no building is too close to a tree considered worthy of retention. Where possible, the Council will encourage the planting of species native to an area. Native species have a higher ecological value than non-native species and blend well into the landscape.
|
