First seeds of new tree strategy planted

Sunday 11 July 2021

Seeds are being sown for a new strategy and law to protect some of the island’s oldest trees.

An amendment to the Planning and Building Law is being drafted to improve protection of trees during the planning process, following growing public concern that protection for the island's trees is not adequate.

The plans are due to be put before the States Assembly to debate before the summer recess, with plans for a full Tree Strategy to then be published in early 2022.

Pictured: Earlier this year, a local zoologist called for better protection for the island's trees, after saying that 30 applications were accepted to fell protected trees since 2008.

To inform the strategy, more than 50 environmental groups, local businesses, developers and farmers will be coming together for a workshop on 22 July, where they will share ideas for the strategy should be. 

A public consultation will then be held, before a second workshop later this year, taking into account the public’s comments.

A review of the list of protected trees will also be a part of the project, which is funded form the Climate Emergency Fund.

It comes after a growing number of calls in the island to protect trees, including from local zoologist, Dr Amy Louise Hall, who said earlier this year that "there isn’t a very strong protection for our trees."

She said that she had discovered that 30 applications had been made to fell protected trees since 2008 – none of which were refused. 

This resulted in close to 100 trees being felled.

Pictured: Environment Minister, Deputy John Young, said that the Government needed to "ensure" trees growing now will continue to thrive for generations to come.

In March, it was revealed that there was a backlog of 300 planning enforcement cases, with Environment Minister, Deputy John Young saying the enforcement team "badly depleted," and at its worst saw the department's staff down 50%. 

He added that he had been troubled by "shocking" reports of listed trees being lost.

Talking this week on the new strategy, Deputy Young said: “We need to ensure that the trees growing right now will continue to thrive well into the future, for generations to come. 

“I’d like to thank the stakeholder representatives who will support the creation of our new Tree Strategy and shape the way that we protect, maintain and enhance the Island’s tree stock. 

“This is an ambitious programme of work but following the declaration of a climate emergency in Jersey, it is vital we move quickly with this. The Tree Strategy, coupled with much needed changes to the law, will update and improve the Government’s approach to tree protection and management."