Decision details

The trees of West Sussex are a valuable and essential element of the urban and rural landscape, contributing significantly to the character of the county, as well as providing other economic, social, and environmental benefits, all of which contribute to quality of life. 

The County Council is responsible for established woodland and individual trees on its landholdings which includes highway land, school sites, country parks, tenanted land, residential homes and other properties such as offices.

Against a backdrop of changing national policy and legislation, the pressure for new housing and other development, emerging new pests and diseases, and the effects of climate change, the West Sussex Tree Plan will address how the County Council should undertake its statutory duties and responsibilities with regard to trees and how it should operate as a landowner.

The Plan will seek to ensure that the trees within the County Council’s ownership are maintained, protected, and improved for current and future generations.  It will also seek to influence how the wider tree resource within the county is managed and improved. 

Although the focus of the Plan will be on delivery over the next five years, the strategic aims will provide a framework for the County Council over the medium and longer-term. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment has approved the West Sussex Tree Plan, attached as Appendix A to the report.

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