Policy BG/TC: Tree cover and the tree population

5.53.  National policy and guidance recognise the many benefits provided by trees. Existing trees, woodlands and hedgerows contribute to the identified landscape character and townscapes of Greater Cambridge; their retention and proper management is essential in maintaining biodiversity, landscape, amenity, cultural and heritage value. Locally, low tree and tree canopy cover is recognised as a weakness within the ecological network, both in the rural agricultural areas typified by large open fields lacking boundary features and in more urban areas which pre-date requirements for ecological enhancement (BNG).

5.54.  To address these challenges, the Councils have identified a priority of increasing tree canopy cover in Greater Cambridge. The Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2036 reaffirms Cambridge City Council’s promise to restore, protect and grow Cambridge’s tree canopy cover to 20% by 2050, within the context of a changing climate and the rising threat of pests and diseases. South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Corporate Plan 2025-2030 strengthens the Council’s commitment to ‘Being Green to our Core’ by reducing carbon emissions within its own operations, enabling the rest of the district to reduce emissions, increasing tree canopy and ‘nature rich’ areas in the district. This policy supports these priorities by seeking to conserve and protect existing trees, and by requiring and encouraging new or replacement planting to enhance this resource now and in the future.

5.55.  Trees adapt to their immediate surroundings, and any changes will have some effect. The potential effect of development on trees, whether statutorily protected (for example by a tree preservation order) or not, is a material consideration in planning decisions. To exercise this statutory duty, Local Planning Authorities need to understand the existing tree resource so that they can make an informed judgement about what might be needed/appropriate, in terms of tree impact, from developments.

5.56.  Where there are trees within the application site, or on land adjacent to it that could influence or be affected by the development (including access arrangements), information will be required on which trees are to be lost/retained/pruned, including whether any are ancient or veteran trees. Planning applications should be supported by an Arboricultural Impact Assessment that evaluates the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed development and, where necessary, recommends mitigation. Arboricultural Assessment and submissions should be made in accordance with BS 5837:2012 (Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction Recommendations) which sets out the accepted methodology for surveying, categorising, and assessing trees in relation to development proposals.

5.57.  To ensure the protection of any trees which are to be retained, conditions may be attached to any grant of planning permission requiring the submission and approval of an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) and Tree Protection Plan (TPP) in accordance with BS5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations) prior to the commencement of development. The AMS must be phased in line with the construction timetable, and must be comprised of a set of clear definitive statements that explain how trees will be protected and how demolition, deliveries, storage and construction activities will be managed to avoid material damage to trees. This requirement is to ensure that the tree protection measures are installed in accordance with the approved methodology, that they remain in place throughout the construction period and that they are only removed following completion of all of the construction works. Seeking the approval of an AMS or discharge of tree protection conditions should only be pursued where all pertinent construction details are available

Felling and significant surgery to trees

5.58.  Any development or redevelopment of a site must consider the value of any trees potentially affected and, where appropriate, make provision for the sustainable retention of trees of value, and space for replacement/new planting on site. Many of the benefits associated with trees are provided local to the trees themselves, such that mitigating tree losses or making provision for new tree planting off site is not normally appropriate.

5.59.  The Councils recognise that in some specific instances felling of existing trees or hedgerows may be necessary to meet wider placemaking objectives. In order to determine whether felling or significant surgery to trees or hedgerows is acceptable, the amenity value of the tree(s) and/or hedgerows, their condition and potential lifespan will be weighed against the safety from removal, the protection of other important site features, or any more general benefits of a new development.

5.60.  The Councils will protect trees of current and future amenity value through the imposition of tree preservation orders (TPOs) (including the serving of category C TPOs for trees required to be planted pursuant to a planning condition) and/or, through planning conditions to ensure protection and prevent damage during the development process. A TPO can be placed on any tree, including hedgerow trees, but not on hedgerows themselves.

5.61.  Trees, groups of trees and woodland will be assessed by the Councils in accordance with the amenity considerations and assessment methodology (Policy P1) within Cambridge City Council’s Urban Forest Strategy 2026-2036 or successor document. This method of assessment has been developed in accordance with Planning Practice Guidance which advises authorities to develop their own methods for assessing amenity value taking into consideration visibility, individual, collective and wider impact.

5.62.  When felling is approved, appropriate replacement planting will be required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority, including the species and location of such planting.

Treescape design, tree species and diversity

5.63.  Tree constraints information should be established at an early stage of proposed development to ensure trees of value inform design layouts. Relative to development, trees are very long-lived organisms and if they are to make a meaningful contribution to amenity, they need time to reach maturity. Development that does not respect existing trees of value or prevents replacement trees the time and space needed to reach their potential is not arboriculturally sustainable. For replacement trees to be allowed to reach their potential it is essential that provision is made for strategic planting of large trees in locations that can be protected during future redevelopment of a site. Opportunities to plant large species trees should be maximised with the use of adequate building set-backs, efficient and combined utilities routes and structural soils and root cell systems for rooting volume in accordance with BS 8640:2025 Structural and Supported soils for trees in hard landscapes guide (or successor document). Large, long-lived trees are species that, at maturity, generally exceed 15–20 metres in height and have a broad canopy spread, and possess a natural life expectancy of at least 100 years, often considerably longer. These trees contribute disproportionately to urban forest benefits due to their extensive biomass, ecological value, and sustained canopy cover over time.

5.64.  Site layouts should be planned so that new and existing trees are not only a significant feature of open spaces but they are also incorporated into streets, gardens, parking courts and other publicly accessible areas. The constraints imposed by trees, both above and below ground, should be considered at the outset to inform site layout. Where new trees are provided, consideration must be given to the potential conflict between new trees and built form, and be compatible with existing or planned underground utilities (such as sewers). Trees must be given adequate space to allow for future growth of both roots and crown, this is particularly important for trees planted next to new buildings which must be given enough room to expand to full maturity (both canopy and roots) over the full time period of their lifetime, to avoid future issues around subsidence or the need to reduce or remove the tree in future. Root protection barriers or suitably deep foundations should be put in place when developments are built to prevent loss of trees in the future.

5.65.  Development proposals should support greater treescape design diversity (such as informal orchards, micro-woods, informal tree planting, woodland pasture and Hedgerow trees) and consider how large, long-lived trees can be incorporated into the design of the proposed development. Proposals should also be informed by urban greening best practice guidance at the time of the application to enable appropriate tree species selection for aiding the diversification of the urban forest ( for example guidance published by the Forestry Commission, the Trees & Design Action Group and Forest Research).

Hedgerows

5.66.  Where developments are likely to affect a hedgerow, it should be surveyed and assessed against the criteria in the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 to determine if it qualifies as ‘important’ under the Regulations (the survey is required to cover the condition, height, spread and species content of the hedgerow.) Even when the hedgerow is deemed not to meet the criteria for classification as important, consideration should be given to its importance for biodiversity and wildlife, for example as nesting sites, migration corridors or foraging routes for bats and birds (see also Policy WS/HS).

5.67.  Development proposals will be required to retain and protect both hedgerows themselves and the surrounding space which supports their flourishing. Development proposals should seek to incorporate established hedgerows into their landscaping schemes at an early stage of design.

Tree establishment and management

5.68.  The management of trees requires great care and forethought: tree constraints, tree protection and tree management plans should be provided where trees are to be retained on-site. Proposals should also provide for the successful establishment, maintenance and long-term management of new trees to support canopy cover, resilience and future amenity value in accordance with BS 8545:2014 - trees from nursery to independence in the landscape (or successor document).

Buffer zones and Root Protection Areas

5.69.  Development proposals must provide adequate buffers and Root Protection Areas (RPAs) around woodland, trees and hedgerows by providing sufficient space to afford surrounding protection and allow for future growth and expansion (above and below ground).

5.70.  Development near ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees must be in accordance with the most up to date joint Natural England and Forestry Commission Standing Advice. All development near ancient woodland must have a minimum buffer zone of at least 15 metres from the boundary of the woodland to avoid root damage but where assessment shows other impacts (such as wind dynamics, artificial lighting and recreation impacts post development) are likely to extend beyond this distance, the proposal is likely to need a larger buffer zone. Development should aim to achieve a buffer of 50 metres from the boundary of any ancient woodland, in line with the Woodlands Trust Guidance; it is for applicants to demonstrate the justification for any smaller buffer (this required to be greater than 15 metres minimum requirement). Precise buffer zones will be determined by Local Planning Authority tree officers through assessment and design proposals submitted as part of the development application. Where possible, a buffer zone(s) should contribute to the wider ecological network and be part of the green infrastructure of the area by being planted with local species.

5.71.  RPAs aim to help avoid damage to the tree’s rooting system, protecting and maintaining the health and viability of trees that may otherwise be impacted by development. Where there are trees either on, or within close proximity to a development site, RPAs should be calculated using BS 5837:2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction’.

For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.

All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.