PLANS to regulate tree-felling remain under discussion after the Environment Minister said he was keeping a “completely open mind” about amending the Planning Law.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf said he was “open” to other methods of achieving tree protection, which could include the creation of an independently chaired group of specialists to “break the logjam”.
And the minister said he was “interested” in a backbencher’s proposition which aims to establish a similar advisory board.
Deputy Renouf has recently axed his proposals to tighten Jersey’s tree legislation, acknowledging the “need to pause” as the Island recovers from Storm Ciarán, although he has committed to another “ground-up” review.
His comments came as former Bailiff Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache postponed his proposal 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.
Speaking at a recent Scrutiny hearing, Deputy Renouf said that he was no longer “absolutely committed” to “bringing back” the amendment to the Planning Law, even if Deputy Bailhache’s bid to repeal it was not successful.
He added that the six-month withdrawal of proposals was an “absolute minimum”, meaning the States Assembly will not debate any proposals until next July at the earliest.
He said: “The conversation is different at the moment.
“We’ve been through a significant trauma in terms of trees, so the conversation is not about the details and what exemptions there might be and so on, that is not where my headspace is the moment. We need to let that play out.
“This has stimulated some interest in other ideas, and I’m keeping a completely open mind about whether the appropriate way to go forward is through continuing with the amendment to the Planning Law or whether there might be other methods of achieving tree protection.
“There may be a way of getting together an independently chaired group of people in this space to try and have a mediated discussion around it to bring forward proposals and have some fresh thinking to break the logjam.”
Deputy Moz Scott has lodged a proposition to establish, before the end of 2024, a “tree advisory board”, which would “offer information and advice to the minister in relation to the planting, protection and management of trees in line with the May 2022 Jersey Tree Strategy”.
This board would be responsible for developing an action plan, delivered to the States Assembly before October 2024, which would focus, among other things, on establishing new woods and protecting and legislating existing trees.
In the report, Deputy Scott wrote: “The substantial tree loss resulting from Storm Ciarán has changed Jersey’s landscape and undoubtedly altered the recently completed tree survey.
“Now, more than ever, the importance of replanting trees and protecting established trees to minimise further losses cannot be understated.”
She said the “sounding board” could provide a way forward.
Deputy Renouf said he found her proposition “interesting”.
