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Urban Trees: Protection
10 May 2023
Lead MP
Catherine West
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSEconomyTaxationClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsParliamentary ProcedureMental HealthLocal Government
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Catherine West raised concerns about urban trees: protection in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member Catherine West introduced an Adjournment debate to highlight the need for better protections for mature trees in the UK, citing their critical role in mitigating climate change impacts such as air pollution, carbon capture, flooding prevention, and mental health benefits. She noted the failure of the government to meet tree planting targets, leading to a growing problem of street trees being cut down due to suspected damage to buildings and high insurance claims costs for councils. Specifically, Ms West mentioned a 200-year-old oak tree in Bounds Green at risk of removal despite its ecological importance and Tree Preservation Order (TPO) protection. She urged the government to provide guidance on how local authorities can consult communities before felling street trees and to ensure shared responsibility between insurance companies and councils for protecting mature urban trees.
The interventions in this debate included support for the issue of tree protection and suggestions for more sustainable solutions to subsidence claims, reflecting a broad consensus on the need to protect mature trees.
Government Response
NHSEconomyTaxationClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsParliamentary ProcedureMental HealthLocal Government
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the importance of urban trees in improving community well-being, environmental health, and economic benefits. She highlighted Government initiatives such as the nature for climate fund, which supports tree planting grants, and the introduction of a new duty on local authorities to consult the public before felling street trees, set to commence this year with guidance by end-2023. The Minister also mentioned work on updating planning guidelines to encourage better integration of trees in urban developments and acknowledged the significant risks posed by pests and diseases like ash dieback and oak processionary moths, outlining measures for their management. She emphasised Government efforts through various funds to support local authorities in planting and protecting trees, including the Urban Tree Challenge Fund and the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, which have supported tree planting and maintenance in deprived urban areas.
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