Local trees granted protected status

Trees in a ward in Watford have been granted protected status following a new legal order to prevent their felling. Local councillors for Nascot ward have been working with residents and aboricultural and legal officers from Watford Borough Council to secure sixteen new Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) to stop them being cut down. The ward now has nearly 70 trees that have gained protected status and represents a move to protect the area’s natural assets and character. Liberal Democrat cllr Mark Watkin said: “Trees signify a terrific local resource; they’re not only great for drainage, the environment and meeting residents’ social needs but also form an important cornerstone of Nascot’s character and natural beauty.” TPOs prevent the destruction or removal of trees without the local planning authority’s written consent. The new wave of TPOs is already in force and defends trees on public and private land in the Stratford Road, Church Road, Langley Road and Park Road area of the ward. A map of TPOs can be found on the council’s website within the ‘Explore Watford’ feature. For more stories about your local community, read the January edition of WatfordNews which is distributed on January 13.