Mark Youngman, Hertfordshire County Council

New Paragraph 130 of the Government’s draft ‘NPPF’ brings in a new requirement for street trees; Page 27 of the Government’s draft ‘Guidance Notes for Design Codes’ says “It is the government’s intention that all new streets include trees”; and Page 30 of the Government’s draft ‘National Model Design Code’ says “All new streets should include street trees.” Do colleagues have concerns about this leading to all new streets having a similar ‘avenue’ appearance, with a reduced variety of street types, and the eventual damage these trees will cause to the structure of our Highways, drainage systems and other utilities?