Tree protection debate delayed again... this time until the new year

Sunday 22 October 2023

Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf has recognised that introducing a new tree law may be more of a knotty problem than he first envisaged.

Deputy Renouf has decided to defer an already delayed debate on legislation to bring in protections around trees until the new year.

Only earlier this month, the debate was pushed back from 17 October to 28 November.

Regarding the latest delay, Deputy Renouf said: “Having had a number of conversations regarding the trees proposition, it has become clear that States Members would like to engage in the details of the proposal in much greater depth.

“To ensure there is sufficient time to examine the fine details of the proposals, I have decided to defer the proposition until the new year. This will allow for full engagement with Members.”

Deputy Renouf first tried to introduce the law update in March, when the proposals were met with vociferous opposition, particularly from tree surgeons and others involved in land management.

The Minister conceded that his plan then had been “pitched wrongly” which “had been a mistake”.

He recently proposed an updated set of rules, which increase the minimum tree measurements above which permission from Planning would be required to fell it.