Object

Representation ID: 25173

Received: 23/03/2021

Respondent: Home Builders Federation

New trees and woodland should be planted on all new developments in both public and private areas, including a fruit tree in every garden. The HBF would like to know what the justification and evidence is for the requirement for a fruit tree in every garden, this is an additional cost, that a new resident may not want and may remove once moved into the property. The HBF recommends that this part of the policy is deleted.

Where existing trees have been identified as suitable for removal at pre-application stage, then replacements should be planted within public areas of the development at a ratio of three new trees for every tree lost. The HBF would like to know what the justification and evidence is for this ratio of replacement. It is considered that if the Council are seeking a ‘net environmental’ gain that this could be achieved in many other ways than seeking a 3:1 tree ratio. The HBF recommends that this part of the policy is deleted.