Development Partnership Forum 18th February 2014 The Purpose of Tree Surveys

PLANNING FOR TREES

WHY SURVEY TREES? - LEGISLATION

Section 197 of the Town & Country Planning Act: “

It shall be the duty of the local planning authority — (a) to ensure, whenever it is appropriate , that in granting planning permission for any development adequate provision is made, by the imposition of conditions, for the preservation or planting of trees; and (b) to make such orders under Section 198 as appear to the authority to be necessary in connection with the grant of such permission, whether for giving effect to such conditions or otherwise.

”

PLANNING FOR TREES

WHY SURVEY TREES?

– NATIONAL / LOCAL POLICIES National Planning Policy Framework

11. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment

Borough Strategy 2010-2015

Theme 5: Improving health and support for independent lives

+

Theme 7: Creating a cleaner and better environment =

Environment Strategy



Green Infrastructure Strategy Core Strategy CS16:

Valuing our Natural Environment - Sites and Policies DPD: residential (SP22); commercial (SP24)

PLANNING FOR TREES

WHY & HOW TO SURVEY TREES? - NATIONAL GUIDANCE Tree preservation orders

:

a guide to the law and good practice

DETR 2000

British Standards Institute 5837 (2012)

:

Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction

– Recommendations - trees = a constraint (like anything else); ‘competent person’ weed out poor trees: see what’s left; - use to

inform

the design process…… …………………………

GOOD QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING FOR TREES

PLANNING FOR TREES

WHY SURVEY TREES? - LOCAL GUIDANCE Validation checklist

Doncaster Council Planning Application Information Requirements and Validation Checklist Approved January 2009 http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/Search/searchsite.aspx?q=validation%20checklist

PLANNING FOR TREES

NO TREE SURVEY?

- can lead to poor quality design e.g. development poorly sited in relation to retained trees; - misplaced retention of poor quality trees; - unresolved objections; - tendency for pre-conceived designs which conflict with site constraints; = Planning delays

PLANNING FOR TREES

One final thought…………………….

In view of the fact that tree issues are often emotive during the planning process, Local Planning Authorities mostly use tree survey information to help justify development in the face of objections to loss of trees.

PLANNING FOR TREES

CONTACTS DMBC Trees and Hedgerows Officers (Planning)

Jonathan Tesh (01302) 735080; [email protected]

Timothy Bryant (01302) 735077; [email protected]