The HTA has met with senior officials in the Planning Directorate at the Department for Culture and Local Government (DCLG) to press the case for changes to the Planning laws to encourage more green planting in the UK, particularly in large scale urban and infrastructure projects. The meeting was arranged by Defra after the HTA’s meeting with Defra Secretary of State, David Miliband, in October last year.

The discussion centred on HTA’s concerns about reduced levels of planting, lack of enforcement of planning permissions allowing green planting, and poor maintenance after installation. These concerns were particularly worrying at the time when climate change should be encouraging more planting to absorb carbon and heavier rainfall.

The representatives from DCLG agreed that it was right in principle that Planning Policy should evolve to reflect the challenges of climate change and that plants do make a positive contribution to the environment and social health and well being. They expressed interest in the HTA’s PlantforLife database, held at Reading University, and containing all published scientific papers on the contribution of plants to the environment.

They also recognised that there were challenges in implementing their national policy at a local level, and sought help from HTA and its members on this.

It was also agreed that DCLG’s new PPS1 on Planning and Climate Change would be informed by HTA’s views. The association was asked to provide further guidance based on industry views, knowledge and projects already in hand, so that the new rules properly reflect the real contribution that good planting and proper maintenance can make.

DCLG has encouraged large organisations like HTA and CABESpace to get together to develop and promote a common approach which would help government make the right decisions on planting for the future.

Speaking after the meeting, HTA director general David Gwyther said “We had a very useful first meeting with the Planning Directorate at DCLG and I was much encouraged that they really do recognise that plants and planting have an important role to play.

“We are both keen to develop this dialogue further, so that the right positive action is actually implemented at local level. We shall also be contacting a number of other major organisations involved in this area so that we can help ensure we all pull together to maximise the benefit that plants can bring to society and our environment.”

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