Tree Protection Order Served on 15 Poplar Trees, St Sampson's

Wednesday 15 April 2026

The Development & Planning Authority (DPA) has served a Tree Protection Order on the owner of a group of 15 poplar trees in St Sampson's after damage to the root system of two of the trees was reported to the DPA on Monday evening.

This makes it an offence to cut down, lop, top, prune, cut or compact the roots or the ground level of the root area, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy these trees without planning permission.

The Tree Protection Order came into effect immediately on Tuesday 14 th April and is effective for an initial period of six months. The DPA must then confirm or revoke the order within six months, taking any representations or objections into account which must be made within 28 days.

Deputy Neil Inder, President of the DPA, said:

"We've got to protect Guernsey's trees, green spaces and biodiversity.

"As part of the Focussed Review of the Island Development Plan, the developer of the site was made aware around eight weeks ago that the stand of poplars was likely to be subject to a Protection Order when the policy letter came to the States in the autumn.

"I was sent photos of the damage to the tree roots at 8pm on Monday evening, and the Planning Service has put this Tree Protection Order in place less than 24 hours later.

"The damage to the root base of the identified stand was significant, a track machine had scraped the base of some of the trees exposing the roots and destroying others. Damaged in spring, as the trees were coming into leaf would have a detrimental effect on this stand of poplar.

"The Authority is extremely grateful to the member of public who notified the Authority and in equal measure disappointed by the activities of the developer.

"We lost some 2,000 trees in Storm Goretti and many in Storm Ciaran. Our trees deserve better, and I know I speak for the majority of islanders who find this activity disappointing, if not cynical.

"Having reviewed the Guidance on Tree Protection, although effective in this instance, I'm not convinced that it is strong enough to protect against developer adventures. Our Authority will focus on this matter and work with our charitable partners to ensure this nonsense doesn't happen again."