Gove appoints ‘Tree Champion’ ahead of imposing new duty of consultation on councils

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has appointed Sir William Worsley as the government’s ‘Tree Champion’ ahead of the introduction of a new duty on councils “to properly consult with communities before they cut down trees”.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said Sir William would “bring together mayors, city leaders and other key players across local government to prevent the unnecessary felling of street trees" alongside supporting the introduction of the new consultation duty.

Defra said Sir William’s responsibilities would also include:

  • Promoting the government’s woodland creation schemes to landowners and other stakeholders and encouraging the right trees to be planted in the right places.
  • Driving forward the government’s manifesto commitment to plant 11 million trees.
  • Working with Defra and Forestry Commission on the design of future environmental land management outside the EU.
  • Working across local government to ensure ancient woodland is more strongly protected.
  • Supporting the planting of one million urban trees, and influencing decision-makers to generate ideas and buy-in locally.
  • Working with Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer to drive the protection of tree health across England, raising awareness of the impact pests and diseases have on our environment and economy.

Sir William, current Chair of the National Forest Company, has been appointed to the role for one year.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “We have a responsibility to make sure the next generation inherit the woodlands, forests and trees they deserve. We are beginning to see good progress in growing tree cover, but we need to go further – and faster.

“I’m confident Sir William Worsley will bring the expertise and vision required to rapidly drive forward planting rates and prevent street trees being felled.”

Last week, in the latest development in the long-running controversy over Sheffield City Council’s programme of tree-felling, Mr Justice Males sentenced two protesters, Simon Crump and Benoit Compin, to two months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year, after they were found to have breached an injunction.

In Sheffield City Council v Crump & Ors [2018] EWHC 1411 (QB) the judge also ruled that a finding of contempt against a third defendant, Fran Grace, was sufficient sanction and that it was unnecessary to impose any further punishment. Judgment was reserved in relation to a fourth defendant, Paul Brooke.