Go to Map
14. TREES AND WOODLANDS
   
Policy TW1 Tree Preservation Orders Throughout the District Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy TW2 Consent for Works to Trees Covered By A Tree Preservation Order Throughout the District
Policy TW3 Resistance to Loss of Trees Covered By A Tree Preservation Order Throughout the District
Policy TW4 The Use of Conditions Relating to Trees in Planning Permissions Throughout the District Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy TW5 Woodland Management Throughout the District Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy TW6 Resistance to Loss of Woodland Throughout the District
 
  Tree Preservation Orders Throughout The District
  POLICY TW1
  Where appropriate, the Council will make a Tree Preservation Order on any individual tree, or group of trees, in sound condition which makes a significant contribution to the amenity and character of an area by reason of its position, size, shape and/or foliage characteristics.
  In general, the Council will use the powers of the Town and Country Planning Act, to bring Tree Preservation Orders into immediate effect.
  The Council will make Tree Preservation Orders on woodlands of high public amenity value where other forms of protection are unlikely to be adequate.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Consent For Works To Trees Covered By A Tree Preservation Order Throughout The District
  POLICY TW2
  The Council will assess applications for consent to carry out works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order, having regard to:
  (i) the condition of the tree(s)
  (ii) the relationship with any adjoining buildings and/or highways,
    and
  (iii) the effect of the works proposed on the public amenity value of the tree(s).
  In any case where the Council is not satisfied that the proposed works are justified, consent will be refused.
  Replanting with a named species to be agreed in writing by the Council will generally be required in the case of any tree for which felling consent is granted.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Resistance To Loss Of Trees Covered By A Tree Preservation Order Throughout The District
  POLICY TW3
  Any development that would result in the loss of a tree or trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order, or which would have a significant adverse effect on the appearance, or health, or stability of such a tree or trees, will not be permitted. Trees of good quality, or landscape significance, or amenity value, will be expected to be retained in good condition even where this will restrict, or prevent, development.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  The Use Of Conditions Relating To Trees In Planning Permissions Throughout The District
  POLICY TW4
  As circumstances require, the Council may impose conditions in any planning permissions granted, requiring the retention of existing specified trees, their protection during site clearance and construction work, and the planting and retention of new trees.
  In the case of new planting, a condition may be imposed requiring that planting be carried out in the first planting season after the development is completed.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Woodland Management Throughout The District
  POLICY TW5
  In managing its own woodlands and when consulted by the Forestry Authority on grant schemes and Felling Licence applications, the Council will be particularly concerned that proposals should maintain and where appropriate enhance, the amenity, nature conservation and landscape value of woodlands.
  In the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Council will promote compliance with the principles in "A Plan for the Chilterns - Woodlands Policy" which are set out below.
  In the remainder of the District, the Council will have regard to the principles in "A Plan for the Chilterns - Woodlands Policy".
  The following are the principles from the Woodlands Policy:
  General Principles
  a) All woodland should be actively managed with the objective of perpetuating a landscape which is broadleaved in character, with an emphasis on beech where appropriate.
  b) Heritage Woodlands should be managed in such a way as to support a rich variety of wildlife.
  c) The woods should be managed to increase timber production.
  d) The total area of woodland should be retained and, if possible, increased.
  Where these principles are mutually incompatible it will be necessary to strike a balance which takes account of the circumstances applying to the specific woodland, including its contribution to nature conservation.
  Felling
  a) Where clear felling is necessary, the following guidelines w ill apply:
    i) In the case of mature woods up to 3 hectares in area it should be possible to fell the wood in one operation.
    ii) In the case of woods over 3 hectares, but not exceeding 8 hectares, no felling should exceed 50% of the area or 3 hectares whichever is the greater in any one period of 10 years.
    iii) In the case of woods over 8 hectares, no felling in any wood should exceed a total of 25% of the area or 4 hectares whichever is the greater in any one period of 10 years.
    iv) In order to minimise the effect of substantial felling it is desirable that no individual clear fell should exceed 3 hectares in extent, and that it should be of a scale in proportion to the landscape, be irregular and take advantage of land form, and integrate visually with adjacent farmland patterns.
  b) Within heritage woodland, estimated to be approximately one-quarter of the ancient woodland, and including existing SSSI's and most of the visually-important woodlands, there should be no individual felling coupe any larger than 0.6 ha. More than one coupe can be felled at the same time, provided that adequate separation is maintained between coupes. The size, phasing and distribution of coupes being related to the size and interest of the woodland.
  Restocking
  a) Woodland type and traditional usage varies throughout the Chilterns. As detailed in the introduction this ranges from hornbeam coppice to pure beech high forest. The choice of species for restocking should not only reflect this traditional pattern but should also allow for choices, including mixtures, which reflect the forestry and conservation interests of diversity, and have regard to the importance of particular species, such as beech, in the landscape character of the Chilterns.
  b) Where suitable, with the use of individual tree shelters for broadleaves, stocking densities can be reduced to 1100 trees per hectare, otherwise with transplants 2250 trees per hectare will be required.
  c) Restocking with single or mixed broadleaf species is preferred. However, where desired by the owner for economic or silvicultural reasons, use of conifers in mixture with broadleaf species will be acceptable provided the management objective is to achieve a predominantly broadleaved woodland and the project does not damage an important area for conservation of wildlife. Where conifers are used in such mixtures they should be compatible with the broadleaved trees in rate of growth on any given site, and be restricted to not more than 50% by area at the time of restocking. In these circumstances with transplants a stocking density of 2250 trees per hectare will be required of which at least 50% will be broadleaves evenly distributed throughout the area.
  d) Natural regeneration of broadleaves is acceptable where occurring but may require gapping up with planted trees in accordance with the Main Principles.
  e) In the heritage woodlands there should be a strong presumption in favour of natural regeneration, with no planting for two seasons in order to give time for seedlings to appear. If the density of seedlings is low, or if deer browsing pressure is too high, it may be desirable to place tree shelters over selected seedlings. After two seasons, if the stocking of seedlings is inadequate, planting should be carried out in the gaps at a spacing of about 3 metres. Most planting should be of oak, except on scarp slopes, in order to greatly increase the proportion of this species which is normally the best prospect for timber production and the most valuable of all tree species from the wildlife point of view. Additional benefits to wildlife can be obtained by planting cherry and a small proportion of field maple and whitebeam.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Resistance To Loss Of Woodland Throughout The District
  POLICY TW6
  Planning permission for development which results in the loss of woodland will be refused. Woodland of good quality, or landscape significance, or amenity value will be expected to be retained even where this w ill restrict or prevent development.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
   
   
Top