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Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2003

Application form

This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically (pdf version) on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning . Please complete all four questions. The deadline is 12 September 2003. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.

Please provide a name and contact details of the organisation responsible for this work. If partners were involved, identify the lead organisation, and then list the other partners/bodies who had a key role.

Name of key partners (if appropriate)

Please complete the form by providing a brief summary (in no more than the space provided) of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude, with a key reason, as to why you think this work merits an Award.

Please tick the key criteria which relate to this entry:

You must describe in your written submission (below) how the criteria which you have ticked relates to your project.

Description of project

As part of the Edinburgh Urban Forestry Project and fulfilling an action identified in the Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan, The City of Edinburgh Council has recently set out to identity, protect and promote its Heritage Trees. This involved a lengthy process of background research and public consultation which provided a list of nearly 100 potential candidates.

Fifty-two trees/woodlands have been identified as notable and exceptional for a number of reasons, including great age, size or historical and cultural significance. These trees are uniquely special or valuable within the context of the City, although several are also of national importance. The Council wants to celebrate the legacy of these heritage trees and to promote them to the people of Edinburgh and visitors, raising awareness of the tree resource and ensuring the protection of that resource.

This has been achieved by establishing a Tree trail around the City, and identifying a network of volunteers throughout the City who will learn more about the heritage trees and other woodlands in their neighbourhood, and help manage and care for them.

Timescale (over which the project has developed)

Research was commissioned and a study of Edinburgh's Heritage Trees was completed in March 2002. This was reported to Planning Committee in June 2002. A leaflet celebrating these trees and encouraging people to visit them was launched in April 2003.

Context (the problem which had to be addressed)

Trees and woodlands are an important component of Edinburgh's Natural Heritage, providing many benefits to the environment and people of Edinburgh; attractive landscape, screening, shelter, air quality improvements, recreation and education facilities and community participation.

The value of woodlands was established in the Biodiversity Plan, prepared in partnership with a wide range of agencies and voluntary groups. Its woodland habitat action plan proposed the protection of existing woodlands and the development of public appreciation of the City's trees. This resulted in a Planning Charter for Tree Protection, prepared in consultation with community groups. The habitat action plan also suggested that special protection measures be put in place for key "remarkable" trees across the City.

Trees of a certain age and stature are described as "Heritage Trees". There has been growing interest in identifying and recording these trees nationwide, particularly since the storm of 1988. Nationally, the Tree Council is compiling a Heritage Tree record documenting information about local heritage trees around the country. In Scotland, as part of the Treefest celebration, the Forestry Commission is aiming to identify the 100 'great trees of Scotland'.

Action taken

Involving the Public:

A specialist consultant was engaged to assess potential heritage trees and identify the most notable. A number of newspaper articles at the start of the survey encouraged the public to point out important trees in their communities, and each reply was followed up by the consultant.

Promoting our Heritage:

Having identified a number of Heritage Trees, the Council, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has produced a Heritage Trees of Edinburgh Tree Trail leaflet. This is intended to celebrate their legacy, promote them both to the people of Edinburgh and tourists, to raise awareness and welcome visitors to 16 of the trees where access had been agreed.

Protecting our Trees:

To encourage their protection, the 52 Heritage Trees have been recognised on the Planning database as being worthy of special consideration should any planning application affect them. Current designations and protection were investigated and it was found that 41 are protected by planning designation (Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area Status), by ownership (CEC or Crown) or by being part of a Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Scheme.

Of the 11 remaining trees which had no protection, steps were taken to investigate the placing of a TPO to ensure their retention. The Council's Tree Protection Charter makes it clear that TPOs will be used to protect trees where their removal would have significant detrimental impact on the environment and its enjoyment by the public.

Results achieved

An overall greater recognition and awareness of the resource and its greater legislative protection.

The interest from the public was such that it encouraged the Council to establish a Tree Warden Network of volunteers, as part of a national scheme run by the Tree Council, to enable people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods.

Tree Wardens have been appointed by community groups to plant and care for trees and encourage others to value their heritage trees and other woodlands. To assist them, three training sessions have been held at which the importance of heritage trees has been stressed.

Conclusion - Why does this piece of work merit an Award?

The response to the Biodiversity Plan's woodland habitat action plan represents an innovative and co-ordinated approach to the protection and promotion of the City's Heritage Trees. Awareness through the Planning Charter, promotion through a Tree Trail, and protection through the planning system have reinforced each other. The public have been involved in identification of the Heritage Trees and, through the tree

wardens, their continuing care.

A relatively small project has produced added value in terms of the public's involvement and appreciation of our natural heritage.

Submitted Evidence:

Edinburgh's Biodiversity Action Plan : extract on the woodland habitat action plan 2000
Planning Charter : Tree Protection, January 2002
Survey of Heritage Trees, 2002, extract of example trees
Heritage Trees, Edinburgh : Tree Trail 2003.

Date
03 September 2003

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