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The new National Model Design Code has been published and, of course, it encourages tree-lined streets. 
I love a good tree-lined street as much as the next person - unless that person is @robertjenrick, who seems a little obsessed.
A thread
(with a serious point).
I love a good tree-lined street as much as the next person - unless that person is @robertjenrick, who seems a little obsessed.
A thread
(with a serious point).
Hereās @RobertJenrick back in 2019, piggybacking his obsession on the Woodland Trustās #EveryTreeCounts campaign.
It was one of the key features he picked out when complimenting Goldsmith Street on winning a design award too.
Thatās not a surprise, because it was one of his highlights of the National Design Guide.
Even when he was trumpeting his commitment to invest in new parks, he felt the need to remind us about the importance of tree-lined streets again.
Are you still with me?
And should there be a hyphen in ātree-linedā or not?
And should there be a hyphen in ātree-linedā or not?
December 2019 brought a General Election campaign and even more opportunities to promote his favourite policy.
In fact, he considered it to be one of the āpeopleās priorities.ā
In fact, he considered it to be one of the āpeopleās priorities.ā
The campaign trail proved fertile ground for talking about tree-lined streets too.
With the Conservatives returned to power in a landslide election victory on the back of their memorable campaign slogan āGet Tree-lined Streets Doneā even the official MHCLG Twitter account got in on the act.
The Daily Mailās āBe A Tree Angelā campaign was another opportunity for Mr Jenrick to mention his favourite fetish.
And he was clearly delighted at DEFRAās plan to fund more tree planting - especially if they were lining streets.
So we shouldnāt be surprised that the new National Model Design Code focuses on them too.
Thereās a serious point here though.
Tree-lined streets are great.
They look beautiful, help mitigate the urban heat island effect, absorb CO2, benefit mental health and can even help tackle air pollution.
Iām 100% in favour of them.
BUT...
Tree-lined streets are great.
They look beautiful, help mitigate the urban heat island effect, absorb CO2, benefit mental health and can even help tackle air pollution.
Iām 100% in favour of them.
BUT...
We wonāt get them just by putting them in design guides. We need to make sure that highways authorities accept them (the often ask for trees near roads to be removed) and that councils have the funding to maintain them.
And, for all the tweeting, we hear very little about that.
And, for all the tweeting, we hear very little about that.
