Attwood launches guidance on the protection of trees
Published on Mon, 5 Dec 2011
by ecomms@doeni.gov.uk.
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood today launched the Department of Environment’s new guidance on Tree Preservation Orders.
The DOE's new publication provides advice on Tree Preservation Orders, in clear and simple terms for owners, conservation groups and the general public with an interest in protecting trees of amenity value. It explains the requirement to protect trees that make an important contribution to the environment, as the DOE has a specific duty to do so under Article 64 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
The leaflet also explains what types of trees can be protected, how the protection works by bringing the trees under the control of the Department, and where to find information on which trees are protected - from Local Area Planning Offices or from the Department’s website at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/8pp_tree_preservation_order_lores.pdf. Most importantly it explains what proposed works to trees do and do not require consent, how to obtain such consent and where to find out more information.
Commenting on the new guidance the Minister said: “Following my statement of 6 June 2011 outlining the increases in fines for breaches of Tree Preservation Orders, under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the new guidance aims to ensure that the public are made fully aware of what is required in terms of compliance with the legislation to ensure that these trees are here for future generations to come.”
Notes to editors:
1. The TPO leaflet can be downloaded from the Department’s website at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/8pp_tree_preservation_order_lores.pdf or hard copies are available at Local Area Planning Offices.
2. The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 can be found at : http://www.legislation.gov.uk
3. For media queries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
The leaflet also explains what types of trees can be protected, how the protection works by bringing the trees under the control of the Department, and where to find information on which trees are protected - from Local Area Planning Offices or from the Department’s website at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/8pp_tree_preservation_order_lores.pdf. Most importantly it explains what proposed works to trees do and do not require consent, how to obtain such consent and where to find out more information.
Commenting on the new guidance the Minister said: “Following my statement of 6 June 2011 outlining the increases in fines for breaches of Tree Preservation Orders, under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the new guidance aims to ensure that the public are made fully aware of what is required in terms of compliance with the legislation to ensure that these trees are here for future generations to come.”
Notes to editors:
1. The TPO leaflet can be downloaded from the Department’s website at http://www.planningni.gov.uk/8pp_tree_preservation_order_lores.pdf or hard copies are available at Local Area Planning Offices.
2. The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 can be found at : http://www.legislation.gov.uk
3. For media queries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
