§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals he has considered in each of the last five years under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against refusals of local authorities to grant consent to fell trees; how many of these appeals he has upheld; and how many of his Department's staff are involved in work on these appeals. [21573]
§ Mr. ClappisonSeparate information on appeals relating to felling only is not readily available. However, the table shows all appeals on tree-related matters considered by the Secretary of State under the 1990 Act in each of the last five financial years, and those upheld by him in the years for which figures are available. Work on these appeals forms a part of the responsibilities of several staff in the Department, and especially in the Government offices for the regions. The total annual staff effort currently involved is about 10 person years.
Year Appeals considered Appeals upheld 1995–96 (to date) 396 141 1994–95 401 120 1993–94 383 not applicable 1992–93 349 not applicable 1991–92 331 not applicable