1. Do you have a full-time officer solely dedicated to managing your declared climate and/or nature emergency? Yes/No
Yes, working alongside officers delivering projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enabling nature to thrive and improving environmental and community resilience.
2. Does your policy/strategy specify that some or all planning applications that could affect trees must include a tree canopy cover assessment as supporting information? Yes/No
No, although we require submission of a Tree Survey and Tree Protection Plan as part of Devon County Council’s validation requirements for planning applications.
3. Do you have a professional tree officer dedicated to advise on planning applications that could affect existing trees? Yes/No
No, although DCC has a professional tree officer, their role is not dedicated to advising on planning applications. Under the ‘two tier’ council arrangements in Devon, most planning applications in Devon are handled by District Council in their role as the local planning authority, with Devon County Council dealing with county matter applications and planning linked to its own developments. In the latter case we rely on advice from our in-house landscape and ecology officers and will also consult the District Tree Officer as required.
4. Do you have standard planning conditions that specifically require that the supply, planting, and maintenance of new trees must be complaint with BS 8545 (2014) Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations? Yes/No
Yes. See model conditions in ‘DCC guidance on ensuring successful establishment of street trees’ published on our website.
Environment websites – 20180603 DCC street tree establishment guidance