Lewes Becomes First English Town To Recognise Rights Of Trees

Lewes has become the first town in England to formally recognise the rights of all trees.

Lewes Town Council approved a charter last week which recognises several rights for trees, including the right to life, to flourish, to be restored and to complete their natural life cycles.

The charter was developed by several groups working together since May, using a toolkit created by Dr Joanna Miller Smallwood, who leads the Environmental Justice Law Clinic at the University of Sussex.

Although the charter is not legally binding, it could allow the town council to consider the rights of trees when making representations on planning applications.

Dr Smallwood said people "really care about trees" and hopes the approach will help change the way their protection is discussed.

The toolkit, developed by Dr Smallwood and her students over three years, also sets out existing legal protections for trees.

Lewes is the first town to recognise the rights of all trees, although other councils across Sussex have taken similar steps.

Rother District Council backed a motion supporting rights for heritage trees last year, while Lewes District Council became the first authority in East Sussex to recognise the rights of rivers.

Dr Smallwood said extending the approach to all trees was significant in a country she described as "one of the most nature depleted" in the world.

She also said the move could provide hope for students experiencing climate anxiety.