Policies & Strategies

Policies & Strategies

Why a Trees & Woodland Management Strategy document?

The primary aim of the Strategy is to deliver guidelines for good tree and woodland management and development throughout the Harrogate District, on private and publicly owned land. The Council has outlined its Corporate priorities for the coming years, and the Trees & Woodland Management Strategy supports a number of these. Therefore, this is seen as a key document that could influence the lives of many people.

Trees are arguably the least transitory natural feature of a landscape. They make a tremendous impact on visitors and residents alike and help to contribute to a healthier environment. Whether individually, or as part of a woodland group, they are an important component of the rural and urban characters, providing structural diversity to the landscape, streetscape and townscape and providing important wildlife habitats.

A full public consultation was undertaken in 2009, including the District Panel and other interested organisations, community and volunteer groups. A list of those consulted is included within the Appendices. The Strategy was subsequently agreed by the Council's Corporate Management Team in May 2010 and approved and supported by Cabinet in July 2010.

This is a five-year strategy, which will be reviewed in 2015.

Trees and Woodland Management Strategy (295KB, pdf - opens in a new window)
Trees and Woodland Management Strategy Appendices (374KB, pdf - opens in a new window)