§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy towards planting and protecting urban trees; and if he will make a statement. [82044]
§ Mr. MealeMy Department encourages local authorities to develop long-term strategies to promote the planting, maintenance, conservation and replacement of all trees in their areas.
Local authorities have powers to protect selected trees and woodlands under the tree preservation order system. Our proposals for reforming that system were set out in a consultation paper issued last July.