Honiton: 'Robust' proposals to protect East Devon's trees go before district council

Proposals aimed at protecting East Devon's trees from destruction by developers go before district councillors tomorrow (Tuesday, July 27).

A motion brought by Cllr Jess Bailey will ask the council to introduce a 'robust' policy which includes proactively making Tree Protection Orders, and supporting town and parish councils in safeguarding trees in their neighbourhoods.

The motion also proposes that the council commissions a detailed, district-wide report 'identifying ways of enhancing and improving the existing treescape'.

Cllr Bailey (Independent, West Hill & Aylesbeare) said: "I am passionate about trees and have been fighting to save them for eight years in West Hill.

"Over this time there has been some terrible destruction of mature trees, including oaks, by developers making sites 'ready' for development.

"Residents are increasingly asking me, 'why can't the council do more to protect our trees?'

"I hope that we can and will, not just for West Hill but for East Devon as a whole."

The tree protection motion in full

Cllr Bailey's motion in full reads: "This council recognizes the immense contribution that trees make to our district - shaping the landscape, providing a vital habitat for wildlife, sequestering carbon to help combat climate change and playing an essential role in the eco-system by absorbing rainwater and preventing erosion.

Trees are also vital to our communities, enhancing well-being, connecting people with their natural environment, providing shade and peace, cooling the streets, marking the seasons and giving our communities a sense of 'place'.

In light of the key role of trees this council will:

• 1. Agree a robust tree policy which includes pro-actively making Tree Protection Orders, particularly in view of unscrupulous developers who remove trees ahead of submitting planning applications

• 3. Implement a community engagement scheme to support town and parish councils in protecting and enhancing trees at the most local level

This council acknowledges that these proposals will increase the workload of the tree officers and additional tree officer capacity will be required in order to give effect to this motion. The Council will use its general fund balance in the current year and will commit to ongoing costs being met in the 2022/23 budget round.

Councillors will vote on the motion at the meeting of the full council tomorrow, which starts at 6pm.