Developers would have to pledge to plant three trees for every one they cut down - this could be law if enough public pressure is put on the government to instigate a parliamentary debate on the proposal.
But there's a long way to go..... When Liverpool City Council granted permission to hack down 36 mature Plane trees last year to make way for a hideous multi storey car park, one could be forgiven for thinking we were back in the 1970's when planning regulations allowed such things to happen. Apparently it is 'progress', illustrating that we have learnt nothing. The council assured concerned locals at the time that they would plant 90 new trees in the vicinity once the project was completed, to offset the loss of the healthy trees. That hasn't happened. What have appeared are just three small token trees and about 100 tufts of ornamental grass a few inches high, which, if one were cynical, might be interpreted as the council's way of fulfilling their pledge to plant 'trees'.... With this in mind, I was heartened to find that there is a campaign to change the law regarding the unchecked felling of healthy trees. The petition suggests that for each tree a company cuts down, they will have to plant three more in its place. While at first this might sound like an impractical plan in an age where development, at the expense of nature, appears to be out of control, the important part of the idea is that it would certainly discourage some of the frenzied felling of trees we are seeing currently in the UK and elsewhere. No more excuses from companies and individuals who at the moment only have to assert that a tree is 'diseased' in order to chop it down. It really should be common knowledge that trees are vital for the survival of the human race – and much more importantly, all of the other life that this planet supports. In the UK, trees provide the only habitat for many birds, squirrels, bats and insects. Developers are only interested in making money, that's their business after all, and so they pay little heed to the environment in spite of their claims to care. I doubt that the 90 trees Liverpool City Council pledged will ever materialise, it may well be another case of throwaway words, spouted to pacify the genuine concerns of a community who see their green spaces being taken away. (If the Council wishes to respond I'd be very happy to hear from them). In summary, those cutting down healthy trees for whatever reason must be held to account and I am fully supportive of a law which would permit the felling of a tree only on the strict understanding that another three would be planted nearby in its place. Making that a legal obligation would be a good place to start and would surely discourage those who wantonly destroy our natural environment from doing so without justification. I urge readers to sign this petition. (It's for UK residents only I'm afraid). It's early days but this seems like an important step forward in protecting our trees for the future. Please sign the petition by clicking: HERE Thanks, Jase
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July 2023
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