We encourage the inclusion of green infrastructure as part of essential infrastructure and connectivity and urge a landscape-scale approach to maximise the benefits for nature and people. Design guidance should incorporate the protection and extension of green infrastructure including support for SuDS in all new developments, and encouragement of green links, such as tree lines and hedgerows, to frame residential areas and connect existing habitats.

In addition, trees and hedgerows help mitigate the impacts of climate change, delivering natural cooling in urban heat islands through transpiration as well as providing shelter and shade, and contributing to sustainable urban drainage systems. They also make a valuable contribution to the quality of the public realm, helping reduce air, noise and light pollution and improve people’s mental health.

We recommend including specific policy in support of new tree planting, hedgerows and urban woodland creation. We recommend setting a target for tree canopy cover, ideally of 30 per cent and of at least 20 per cent, to be pursued through the retention of important trees, greater than 1:1 replacement of trees lost through development, ageing or disease and by new planting to support green infrastructure.

We encourage the integration of tree planting into new walking and cycling routes, to provide shelter and shade and to maximise the potential of these new green corridors for habitat connectivity.