13 March 2023
ā
Ahead of the introduction of legislation setting out which works to trees will require
permission in Jersey, the Minister for the Environment is consulting with Islanders about the
details of the proposals.
In 2022, the States Assembly approved plans to better protect trees by bringing works to them
under the definition of ādevelopmentā within Jerseyās Planning and Building Law.
When the revised law comes into effect, operations to or on trees will require permission
before they can proceed. However, it is proposed that there will be a list of exceptions that
will specify those operations that can go ahead without permission.
Proposed exceptions include, among others, work to remove dead branches, operations to
trees posing a danger to the public, and work to trees with a diameter no bigger than 8cm at
a point 1.5m above the ground.
If permission is required, then applications will be considered through a simple āprior notificationā
procedure. This will determine whether a full application for planning permission is needed or
whether the works can go ahead as āpermitted developmentā.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said: āIt is clear from speaking to
Islanders that tree protection is an issue they hold very close to their hearts, so I am very
pleased to be bringing forward these proposals.
āIt is not our intention to create unnecessary red tape, and so this draft Order includes a list of
permitted operations, and categories of trees for which no planning application will be
necessary. We need to ensure we get the balance right, so that Islanders can still proceed with
their gardening and tree maintenance tasks, but at the other end of the spectrum trees that
have landscape or other value to the community arenāt being chopped down without proper
consideration.
āIām keen for Islanders to give feedback via the public consultation to let us know whether the
list of exceptions is, in their view, appropriate.ā
Islanders can have their say on the proposed tree protection process and exceptions on the consultation webpage. The consultation closes on 23 April 2023
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