Last chance to comment on final draft Tree, Hedge & Woodland Strategy for East Devon

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2040, and to help achieve this, is preparing a district-wide Tree, Hedge & Woodland Strategy and calling on local residents, community groups, landowners and businesses to share their views.

We are keen to hear from all our residents and have now launched our public consultation. Your valuable feedback will be used to help shape the new strategy. This will evaluate current tree, woodland and hedge coverage in East Devon and make recommendations for improving and expanding these natural resources on both public and private land, including development sites. 

The new strategy will look forward to the next 10 years, setting out key priorities and actions for the next three years. It will link to national and local guidance, such as the Devon Tree Strategy, Devon Nature Recovery Strategy and the East Devon Local Plan. 

In East Devon trees are an integral part of our environment and our treescape is a significant part our landscape, contributing to the health and wellbeing of a population and the sustainability of our communities.

Trees provide a habitat for wildlife, a foundation for biodiversity and a basis for our ecosystem services whilst also giving intrinsic beauty to our surroundings and economic value to our neighbourhoods. From the flood risk management benefits of tree roots to the improvement to air quality, the contribution trees make to our lives cannot be underestimated. We see it as vital to protect and value trees for our communities and for future generations.

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said: “We want everyone to join the conversation about trees and hedges because it’s vital that our new strategy reflects your views. Trees provide a habitat for wildlife, a foundation for biodiversity and a basis for our ecosystem services whilst also giving intrinsic beauty to our surroundings and economic value to our neighbourhoods. From the flood risk management benefits of tree roots to the improvement to air quality, the contribution trees make to our lives cannot be underestimated.

“We see it as vital to protect and value trees for our communities and for future generations. The creation of a Tree, Hedge & Woodland Strategy will help us to frame these extremely important issues and challenges within a robust and deliverable document that helps the council to make informed and measured decisions, according to its resources, that help protect and grow our trees and woodlands into the future."  

The final draft strategy is now available to view. We welcome any comments on the final draft strategy.

The consultation will be open until 31 January 2025 and we look forward to including your feedback and input that will help us create a robust strategic plan for the next 10 years.