Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024-2037 document.

LP 54: Protection and Enhancement of Trees and Hedgerows.

Protection

  • Development proposals seek to secure the sustainable retention and enhancement of trees and native hedgerows of value wherever possible.
  • Retained trees and hedgerows should be integrated effectively into site layouts, with new landscaping where appropriate.
  • Retained trees and native hedgerows shall be protected during demolition and construction works in accordance with latest arboricultural best practice.

Enhancement

  • Development proposals will be encouraged to provide for additional tree and hedgerow planting wherever possible.
  • Development proposals will be encouraged to provide a net gain in landscape quality on site and fully mitigate for any existing trees and hedgerows lost as a result of the development.
  • Development proposals will be required to incorporate landscaping schemes that:
    • enhance the character and appearance of the landscape, townscape or roofscape;
    • include the planting of indigenous trees and native hedgerows appropriate to the area;
    • incorporate species diversity to establish sustainable landscaping in respect of climate change and disease;
    • incorporate appropriate indigenous species in locations that maximise the benefits to biodiversity, including the creation of woodland and green corridors;
    • maximise opportunities for the planting of urban trees within streets and greenspace to create rich urban treescapes;
    • maximise opportunities to plant community orchards in amenity greenspace.
  • Landscaping proposals will be required to incorporate an appropriate post-planting management and maintenance programme to ensure successful healthy establishment and ongoing development.

For more information, please visit Bracknell Forest’s Local Plan document here.