Monday 16 March 2015
BBC Radio Guernsey Enquiry:
I'm looking into a story about tree preservation orders. I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
Has there been an increase in the amount of tree preservation orders?
How many tree preservation orders does the Department grant each year?
Do trees only get TPO's when they are in an area that's being developed?
Environment Department Response:
Protection of trees by way of Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) came into force in 2009 with the enactment of the 2005 Land Planning and Development Law. Since then the Department has issued a total of 80 TPOs, covering 194 trees, also including 6 area TPOs for unspecified numbers of mixed trees within a total of 125 acres (309 vergées).
In recent years there has been no increase in the frequency of making TPOs, although the numbers of TPOs have increased.
Initially, at the time the Law was enacted, the Department made 57 TPOs. Later in 2009 a further 8 TPOs were made, then 3 in 2010, 4 in 2011, 1 in 2012, 4 in 2013, 2 in 2014 and 1 TPO so far in 2015.
The Department does not have a specific work stream to systematically assess trees across the island for protection. Instead, TPOs are made on an ad-hoc basis, as the Department becomes aware that particular tree(s) are under threat. There are a number of sources from which the Department can be made aware that a tree or trees are under threat. This can include representations from members of the public, but more usually it is as a result of planning applications being made and, more specifically, where planning applications are refused for reasons including the adverse effect of a proposed development on one or more trees.
Hence, since 2009 (when the power to make TPOs was first introduced), trees of amenity value can and have been protected where development does not threaten their survival, but more recently TPOs have generally been made in response to planning applications in order to ensure that important trees are given adequate protection.
Contact Information:
Jim Rowles, Director of Planning
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 717200
