Become a Trees in the Townscape champion today

  • Circulate the document widely among local organisations and opinion-formers
  • Seek official endorsement of the 12 Trees in the Townscape principles by your city, county, town, district or parish council and other key local organisations. More details on how to endorse can be found on the right.

Who’s endorsed Trees in the Townscape?
Government Agencies and Other National Bodies
  • Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
  • Royal Institute of British Architects
  • The Forestry Commission
  • Town and Country Planning Association

​Local Business or Community Organisations
  • The Victoria Business Improvement District
  • Bristol Tree Forum 
Local Authority Councillors
  • Bristol City Council
  • Birmingham City Council
  • Torbay Council
  • York City Council
  • Newcastle City Council
  • Westminster City Council
  • London Borough of Hackney

Social Landlords
  • Peabody
  • Tor Homes
What our Trees in the Townscape Champions have said
Government Agencies and Other National Bodies
“We have supported the TDAG right from the very beginning as a founding member. We are proud to have been so involved in this excellent guide to support crucial local decision-making. Our councillors, parish council members and communities involved in neighbourhood planning make important decisions that affect the quality of life for all of us. They can now use sound, practical advice on how to make space for trees in towns to ensure they grow to last a lifetime. Our urban forest - the population of trees across our towns – will be better protected, improved and expanded through this initiative.”
Pam Warhurst, Chair of the Forestry Commission
“The natural environment plays a fundamental role in sustaining our collective future and Trees in the Townscape reminds us that it should be at the heart of all planning decisions.
It is widely recognised that people’s connection with nature can increase their health and well-being.  The natural environment also provides a range of additional economic, social and environmental services without which society could not function.”
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, Town and Country Planning Association
“Trees make a significant contribution to the urban and suburban landscape and are a key component of the infrastructure that makes places work, look and feel better. CIHT recommends that the guiding principles behind this document should be incorporated into future and existing schemes and developments. Local authorities should use the principles in this guide to promote and enhance trees in our urban areas through planning guidance, particularly Local Development Plans, and utilise Tree Preservation Orders and other controls as appropriate.”
David Anderson, President, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT)
“Architects, when carrying out masterplans or designing individual buildings, have a leading role in promoting and making the most of the many benefits that urban trees bring to built environments. In our work with our clients, the design teams and the local council we are in a unique position to ensure that trees - whether existing or proposed, or on site or in the surroundings - are considered at the right stages of the development process. As President of the RIBA I welcome this clear and comprehensive guide by the Trees and Design Action Group.”
Angela Brady, President, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Local Authority Councillors
“TreeBristol, is one of the most successful planting and management programmes for city trees in the country. Trees in the Townscape validates our approach and points out opportunities to go forward.” 
Cllr Simon Cook, Leader of the Council, Bristol City Council
“We fully recognise the important role that our trees and woodland areas play not only within the environment but also in terms of the quality of life for our residents and visitors. I am delighted that we are supporting Trees in Townscape and helping to ensure that our decision makers and appropriate officers are given the support and guidance they need to ensure the long term future of our trees.”
Cllr Jeanette Richards, Executive Lead for Tourism and Environment, Torbay Council
“The Trees in the Townscape 12 Principles is a great idea. It offers practical guidance and best practice examples to increase the number of trees in cities; bringing health and other environmental benefits for us and future generations of residents. The 'York Economic Vision: New City Beautiful' noted the relatively small number of trees in our city and we have since progressed our commitment to planting thousands more trees in York through our Treemendous York Campaign.”
Cllr James Alexander, Leader of the Coucil, City of York
“Trees are an important part of the vitality and wellbeing of our City and help make it a more pleasant place to live and work. Trees in the Townscape provides a clear, comprehensive step-by-step framework to sustainable management of this valuable resource. It is a guide which Newcastle City Council will use as we continue to implement and develop our own tree strategy – Trees Newcastle.”
Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader, Newcastle City Council
“We recognise that trees are an integral component of our townscape, and we are committed to maintaining and increasing our tree cover wherever practically possible. Trees in the Townscape provides us with valuable examples of how to manage our existing trees and plan for new trees in order to ensure that their benefits are enjoyed both now, and by future generations.”
Cllr Philippa Roe, Leader, Westminster City Council
“Hackney has invested considerably in street trees in recent years, in recognition of the many positive benefits they bring to the local environment and all who live, work, and visit the borough. We welcome this guide as an opportunity to both share our experiences and learn from experiences elsewhere.”
Jules Pipe, Mayor, London Borough of Hackney
Local Business or Community Organisations
“The multiple benefits trees bring to a business district make perfect economic sense. Often they are undervalued, but we are working to put this firmly back on the business agenda – and the 12 Trees in the Townscape principles provide a clear roadmap to get there.”
Tom Foulkes, Chairman, Victoria Business Improvement District
“I expect this to be a very powerful document. We are fortunate in Bristol to have a very supportive Council; so where we need help is in persuading developers and landowners to adopt the types of best practice outlined here. After all more than 60% of the land area of most cities is outside local authority control. We won’t be able to re-tree Bristol or anywhere else without engaging the private sector.”
Clive Stevens, Chair, Bristol Tree Forum
Social Landlords
“Quality green spaces have a profound impact on people's health and well being. That's why at Peabody, we've been investing in turning the urban forest we manage into a proud asset - with the right trees in the right places for maximum positive impacts. Trees in the Townscape offers us a great set of principles to communicate and maintain momentum on this work.”
Stephen Howlett, Chief Executive, Peabody
“Trees should be seen as an asset rather than a liability; like any asset they need to be well managed to maintain their value. We endorse the principles in Trees in the Townscape, and will actively promote them to our partner organisations.”
Howard Toplis, Chief Executive, Tor Homes – part of the South Devon and Cornwall Housing Group
How to endorse Trees in the Townscape?

Simply email us: 
1. An endorsement statement signed by the chairperson, the chief executive or Leader of your organisation.
2. A portrait photo of the person who signed the endorsement.
3. A confirmation that the Trees in the Townscape has been circulated amongst key members and staff.
 
... and we will post your endorsement quote on this page.

Some organisations might also decide to have their executive committee (eg
their board or cabinet) pass an endorsement motion. If so, you’re welcome to adapt and use the template motion available below.
endorsement_titt_12_principles.doc
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: doc
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