To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what consideration has been given to providing further protection to trees in Areas of Townscape Character, as part of the review of the 2011 Planning Act.

Responsibility with regards to trees and their protection, including the making of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and trees within Conservation Areas which are protected under planning legislation, primarily lie with local councils.

Councils have the power under section 122 of the Planning Act to make a TPO with regards to trees in its district which it believes, in the interests of amenity, it is expedient to preserve. This could include trees within a designated Area of Townscape Character.

While my focus, through the review of the implementation of the Planning Act, is very much on how we can speed up the planning system, both development plan preparation and application processing, while improving the system for all stakeholders, the review will also provide an opportunity to consider matters raised by respondents to the call for evidence with regard to the protection of trees.