How many trees do I have to plant?
According to Specification 19.2 of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026, the number of trees required depends on the block size and must be planted in deep soil zones in accordance with Table A. The minimum requirements are:
- Compact blocks: At least 1 small tree.
- Mid-sized blocks: At least 2 small trees.
- Large blocks (up to 800 m²): At least 1 small tree and 1 medium tree, or equivalent existing trees as set out in Table B.
- Large blocks (over 800 m²): At least 1 medium tree and 1 large tree, or equivalent existing trees as set out in Table B, plus 1 additional large tree or 2 additional medium trees for every additional 800 m² of block area.
All new trees must comply with utility requirements, and existing trees may count towards the requirement if they meet the tree size equivalents in Table B.
Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303)) – Assessment Outcome 19 – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026
Short Answer
According to Specification 19.2 of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026, the number of trees required depends on the block size and must be planted in deep soil zones in accordance with Table A. Compact blocks require at least one small tree, mid-sized blocks require at least two small trees, large blocks up to 800 m² require one small tree and one medium tree (or equivalent existing trees under Table B), and large blocks over 800 m² require one medium tree and one large tree, plus one additional large tree or two additional medium trees for every additional 800 m² of block area. All new trees must comply with utility requirements, and existing trees may count towards the requirement if they meet the tree size equivalents in Table B.
Detailed Explanation
According to Specification 19.2 of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), residential developments must provide a minimum level of tree planting in deep soil zones in accordance with the requirements in Table A. The number and size of trees required depend on the block size.
The minimum requirements are:
- Compact blocks: At least 1 small tree.
- Mid-sized blocks: At least 2 small trees.
- Large blocks up to 800 m²: At least 1 small tree and 1 medium tree, or equivalent existing trees as identified in Table B.
- Large blocks over 800 m²: At least 1 medium tree and 1 large tree, or equivalent existing trees as identified in Table B. In addition, 1 extra large tree or 2 extra medium trees (or equivalent existing trees) must be provided for each additional 800 m² of block area.
The specification also states that:
- Tree planting must occur within deep soil zones and follow the requirements in Table A.
- All new trees must be planted in accordance with utility requirements.
- Existing trees on the site may be counted toward the minimum planting requirement if they meet the tree size equivalents in Table B.
- For blocks from 500 m² to less than 550 m² that are identified as mid-sized blocks in a district specification, the mid-sized block requirements apply.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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