Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect mature trees in urban areas; and what support his Department provides to local authorities for such protection.

Local planning authorities have the power to make a Tree Preservation Order to protect trees of amenity value in urban areas. With limited exceptions, it is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, or wilfully damage or destroy a tree protected by an Order, without the authority’s permission. Our web-based planning guidance, Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, supports authorities in the exercise of these powers.