To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will give consent to Guildford borough council for tree protection orders to be placed on its departmental land at Epsom Road, Guildford prior to its forthcoming sale and disposal to a housing developer. (186271)

As part of the preparation for a planning application at the Guildford site DEFRA has undertaken a joint survey with Guildford borough council of the trees and, under the guidance of the tree preservation officer has identified a number of trees that are worthy of retention (some having been identified as restricting the sustainable growth of others).

DEFRA has no objection to the principle of imposing a TPO but would not expect this to be undertaken while in the ownership of DEFRA, pending disposal.

DEFRA is awaiting confirmation from the council as to the identification of those trees to which an Order would relate.