London Tree and Woodland Awards 2010

Amateur photographers who can capture the immense value of London's trees and woodlands are invited to enter this year’s London Tree and Woodland Awards. The photography category joins six others for the third year of the prestigious awards that are backed by the Mayor of London and the Forestry Commission.

Individuals, groups and organisations who work hard to protect London’s invaluable trees and woodlands are also recognised in the awards. Last year they were presented by Broadcaster Neil Fox and Tim Rollinson, the Forestry Commission Director General.

“London's trees and woodlands are highly regarded by those who live and work in our capital city for making our streets more attractive and offering shelter from the sun as well as providing a long-term habitat for wildlife, reducing pollution and helping to mitigate against climate change.

These awards recognise those organisations, individuals and schools that help to improve London through their dedication to trees and woodlands,” says Ron Melville, the Forestry Commission’s Regional Director for London.

The categories this year are:

• For excellence in tree and woodland work by a public body
• For the most innovative woodland project demonstrating environmental and biodiversity benefits
• For recognising good practice in planting and managing trees and woodlands or raising awareness and understanding in schools
• For recognising an exceptionally successful woodland project by a Friends or Community Group
• For recognising an exceptionally successful tree project delivered in an urban neighbourhood
• The Individual Commitment and Achievement Award
• The London Tree and Woodland Photographic Award

The Deadline for receipt of Nominations has been extended to Friday 29^th October 2010 and the Awards will be presented at an invited evening reception on 2 December in the London Living Room at the top of City Hall.

Details on the awards, categories and how/where to apply are available on the Forestry Commission London web site at www.forestry.gov.uk/ltwa

Oak Processionary Moth Guidance

 The LTOA pest and disease working party has put together an information leaflet on what to look for and how to manage OPM with further resources.

Click here to view

Consultation on consolidating tree preservation order legislation

The consultation paper - Tree preservation orders: proposals for streamlining - has been launched today. It can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/treestreamliningconsult. This details the proposals to consolidate the existing regulations governing the making and management of tree preservation orders (TPOs), reduce the complexity of the model order and producing a unified system which will apply to all TPOs. It is likely that these new regulations will be brought into effect in 2011. The consultation period will end on 20 December 2010.

Proposals for changes to planning application fees in England - Consultation

A consultation paper on Proposals for changes to planning application fees in England was published on 15 November. While it does not propose to introduce a fee for tree work applications/notices it does seek comment on whether this is the appropriate approach. Responses must be received by 7 January 2011. The consultation paper can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/planningfeesconsultation

NB. Please note that the consultation on TPOs (Tree preservation orders - proposals for streamlining - http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/treestreamliningconsult) closes on 20 December 2010.