Trees and Woodlands

Given the manner in which the landscape of the county borough has been exploited you would be forgiven for thinking it was a landscape devoid of trees; however this is not altogether the case. While large areas of the county borough still bear the scars of the industrial revolution; there remain small pockets of undisturbed landscapes, areas of naturally regenerated tree growth, forestry, parks, gardens and public open spaces that contain a wide variety of trees.

The value we place on trees is often only realised when they are under threat or are lost altogether. The local planning authority has powers to make Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Authority may make a TPO if it appears to it to be; ‘expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for the preservation of trees or woodlands in the area’.

The County Borough contains 67 No Tree Preservation Orders. The first TPO was made in 1946 with the most recent being made in 2008.

The importance of trees in Conservation Areas is recognised in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which makes special provision for trees in Conservation Areas which are not already protected by a Tree Preservation Order.