§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the statutes and regulations governing tree presevation orders in Scotland and when they took effect.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 6 July 1992]: The principal provisions are contained in part IV of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972—C. 52— sections 57 to 60, and in part V, sections 98 and 99. These provisions have been amended in minor detail. This Act came into force on 27 August 1972, but sections 58(5) and 59(1) to (3) came into force on 17 July 1975. The powers of enforcement are extended and amended by section 54 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. which came into force on 26 March 1992.
The relevant regulations are:
The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 1975,
SI 1975 No. 1,204 (S.183), which came into operation on 1 September 1975.
The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1981,
SI 1981 No. 1,385 (S.134), which came into operation on 27 October 1981.
The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1984,
SI 1984 No. 329 (S.36), which came into operation on 11 April 1984.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the rights available to members of the public who seek to protect trees by means of a tree preservation order.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 6 July 1992]: Under sections 57 to 60 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972, it is the duty of planning authorities, in the interests of amenity, to make such provision as may to them appear expedient, for the preservation of trees or woodlands in their district.
These powers have been used effectively by local authorities but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I should be happy for him to write to me.