Tree planting

• £2,400 per tree

This is based upon the costs of planting a heavy standard tree, and aftercare and management for a period of 10 years.

The contribution can be secured through a S106 agreement or Unilateral Undertaking, which will require the contribution to be paid on first occupation of the development.

Alternatively, if the planning application does not require a S106 or Unilateral Undertaking to secure other contributions, the contribution can be paid through an online payment. This would need to be done before the application can be determined.

Online payments for the offsite tree planting includes the contribution plus the admin fee of £20.

To complete this payment, you’ll need:

• confirmation from your case officer to pay your contribution online
• the planning application reference number
• the property or site address of the planning application
• a description of the development
• to accept the terms of the offsite tree planting agreement
• a credit or debit card and the cardholders details.

Make the payment online

To secure the contribution, we will require the submission of a Unilateral Undertaking under Section 106 of the Planning Act. This will bind the land within relevant grants of planning permission to ensure that the proposed development does not have an unacceptable impact on the protected sites.

We have produced a draft Unilateral Undertaking (UU) for use for planning applications where the creation of one or more residential units is proposed and where the offsite tree planting contribution is the only contribution required (usually 1-9 units).

For larger residential developments (usually 10 units or more), the contribution will still be sought although it will likely be one of several contributions required as part of a bilateral or multilateral S106 agreement.

The draft agreement (for smaller scale residential proposals) is available below.

• Template draft unilateral undertaking. (opens in new tab)
• Guidance notes for completing the unilateral undertaking (opens in new tab)

The correct total figure of contribution in relation to your development must be entered into the Unilateral Undertaking. For outline applications the contribution will be determined at the reserved matters stage.

Because planning obligations run with the land, all persons with an interest in the land (including freeholders, leaseholders and mortgagees) must be identified and included as parties to the deed to ensure we can have confidence that the provisions of the obligation will be effective.

We strongly advise that independent legal advice is taken before entering into a planning obligation.

Due to the government mandated determination deadlines for planning applications, a fully completed electronic copy of the draft Unilateral Undertaking is required within 28 days of the valid date of the application. If we do not receive a draft Unilateral Undertaking for the development by this date, we will be minded to refuse the application as it will be unable to evidence compliance with regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations 2017.

The responsibility to ensure this deed is correct rests with the applicant and their advisors.

Once the draft has been checked by us, we will confirm whether the draft is approved and then, if approved, will require the submission of an original signed version of the approved Unilateral Undertaking.

If we refuse the application, we will not seek a completed signed Unilateral Undertaking from you.

Please note, it is your responsibility to ensure that the deed has been properly completed and executed. If it has not, the deed will not be accepted and you will be required to re-execute the deed and this will cause delay and may result in your application being refused.

We cannot accept payment for any obligations prior to the acceptance of the Unilateral Undertaking and the granting of the associated planning permission.

We will require an up to date copy of the HM Land Registry official copy of Register of Title and the accompanying plan

Further guidance on how to obtain the title register and plan is available below.

• Search for information about property and land (opens in new tab)