MP joins fight over oak and calls for law change

An urgent review of a nationwide rule that can see protected trees felled at the behest of insurance companies has been demanded by a Devon MP.

- BRADLEY GERRARD

David Reed, the Conservative member for Exmouth and Exeter East, has written to the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, urging her to reconsider a historic rule change that virtually prevents local councils from objecting to certain applications to fell protected trees.

The change in 2012 removed an ability for local councils to indemnify themselves against claims for compensation by the insurance companies.

Subsequently, claims have usually arisen because the insurance company can state that by not being able to remove a tree, something it believes would rectify a problem such as subsidence, it is having to pursue a more expensive solution.

And without the protections for councils that were in place prior to 2012, that means insurance companies can pursue local councils for compensation they can ill afford.

Mr Reed, who has highlighted an issue in his constituency whereby an Exmouth family is fighting to prevent an oak tree on their property being felled, said the situation highlighted a "growing problem" with the regulations around planning and tree preservation.