Trees provide many benefits for residents, including shelter, enhancement to local amenity and maintaining peoples' link with the natural environment. The Borough is fortunate in having a large number of trees, but conflicts and concerns can arise when trees grow near homes.
Many calls are received by the Council about issues
such as overhanging branches, shading of gardens, leaf and twig litter, perceived danger due to the height of trees, TV and satellite interference and root growth.
Council officers can help residents with all enquiries relating to trees. Every enquiry received will be investigated, and action will be taken on Council-owned trees where appropriate. However, there are occasions when work to prune or fell trees cannot be justified, and wider environmental issues need to be considered.
If you have a tree enquiry, you can contact one of the following.
For tree enquiries relating to Borough Council owned trees or highway trees in Basingstoke and Chineham, please phone the central Contact Centre on:
(01256) 844844
For tree enquiries relating to tree preservation
orders, trees in conservation areas and trees on development sites you can contact either of the following officers:
David Hill, Senior Tree Officer on (01256) 845500 or David.Hill@basingstoke.gov.uk
or
Frank Wright, Tree Officer on (01256) 845404 or Frank.Wright@basingstoke.gov.uk
Tree Policy
The Tree Policy relates to the Council's role in influencing the management of trees and woodlands in private ownership, generally through the powers available under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It therefore relates to the various functions within the Council that include Tree Preservation Orders, trees in conservation areas and trees on development sites. The Tree Policy is available to download below and is due to be reviewed in 2005.