THE Environment Minister has axed his proposals to tighten Jersey’s tree legislation and acknowledged the “need to pause” as the Island recovers from Storm Ciarán – while committing to another “ground up” review.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf has also written to his colleagues urging them to reject an “unnecessary” proposition lodged by a former Bailiff, Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache, that was due to be debated today.
The backbencher is seeking to repeal the relevant part of the Planning and Building Law to leave landowners free to carry out work on trees without needing planning permission.
Deputy Renouf’s proposals, which govern the chopping down and pruning of trees of certain sizes, were criticised by landowners and tree surgeons when they were first lodged earlier this year. His proposition was subsequently altered, with a debate on the issue having already been delayed many times.
Deputy Renouf has now announced that he has withdrawn those proposals and said that if Deputy Bailhache’s proposition is defeated, he will not bring forward a new set for at least six months.
In a document shared with the States Assembly, he acknowledged that there was “a need to pause the current plans for extending tree protection”.
He wrote: “It is clear to me that more time is needed to bring forward proposals that can achieve wider support, and that trying to do so while the Island is still recovering from Storm Ciarán is neither desirable nor realistic.”
He continued: “Despite the withdrawal, I strongly believe that we should keep open the option of regulating work on trees via Amendment 8 to the Planning Law.
“Members can wait to see the proposals I bring back to this Assembly and make their decision then as to whether they support the proposals. I would therefore ask Members to keep an open mind and to wait for a debate and a vote on detailed proposals, when they are brought back to the Assembly.
“Instead of prematurely repealing legislation upon which there has been extensive consultation, that has been through Scrutiny, and then supported overwhelmingly by this Assembly, I would ask Members to allow work to continue. If Members do not like the proposals that come forward, they will have ample opportunity to reject them.”
The Deputy said that he had instead committed to further engagement with all stakeholders in a “ground up” review of “how best we can develop proposals that strike a better balance between protection of trees and the rights of landowners”.
