Memorial Tree Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P25
Adoption Date 10.5.23
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
1. Executive Summary
Great Sankey Parish Council (GSPC) recognises the wish for Memorial Trees and will
consider these on land owned by GSPC. GSPC will consider requests for Memorial Trees on
an individual basis and retains the right to refuse or limit the number at any location.
This policy is intended to establish eligibility, the responsibilities and restrictions on Memorial
Trees. This policy will be revised as necessary at the discretion of GSPC.
2. Principles
GSPC considers that the placement of any Memorial Tree should:
• be respectful and sympathetic.
• not detract from the prime purpose of any site.
• maintain the quality of appearance of any site.
• be mindful of any contrasting needs of the different users of any site.
• be mindful of any impact on neighbouring properties.
3. General
3.1 Requests for memorial trees must be made using the Memorial Tree Application Form
and returned to the Parish Office for consideration.
3.2 GSPC will keep a record of all successful applications, including contact details in
accordance with General Data Protection Regulations. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to provide the Parish Office with updated contact details in writing. Failure to do
so could lead to the plaques being removed without notice.
3.3 GSPC will not accept responsibility or liability in respect of any damage to or loss of a
memorial tree or plaque whatever the circumstances, including damage by a third party.
3.4 GSPC reserves the right to refuse a request for a memorial tree if the site is deemed full,
the tree requested is not within the permitted list or the conditions for eligibility are not
met.
4. Eligibility
The person the tree and plaque is in memory of must,
• Have been a former resident of the parish of Great Sankey, or
• Have been a ‘close relative’ (namely spouse, civil partner, parent, child or sibling) of a
current or former resident of the parish of Great Sankey, or
• Have had a close association with the parish and provided a recognisable service to the
parish and community.
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GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
5. Sites
The following sites have been identified as suitable for Memorial Trees:
Vicarage Community Park
Childs Wood Field
Parish Playing Field
Tim Parry Recreation Ground
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Bewsey Barn Community Centre
GSPC will determine the capacity and suitability for tree type at each location.
6. Trees
6.1 Only trees purchased specifically for the purpose may be used for memorial trees;
existing trees may not be used.
6.2 Trees will only be planted in the tree planting season (October – March, depending on
weather/ground conditions).
6.3 GSPC will retain ownership and undertake maintenance of the tree.
6.4 If the tree does not thrive in the first 12months, GSPC will inform the applicant as soon as
possible and may undertake to replace the tree depending on the reason for failure.
6.5 Memorial Trees available:
Common Name Latin Name Overall Height
Wild Cherry Prunus avium 20m
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia 15/20m
Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima 25m
Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis 22m
Bird Cherry Prunus padus 18m
Field Maple Acer camperstre 12m
Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 8m
Dogwood Cornus kousa 3m
Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata 2.5m
Apple varieties M9 M26 M27 Malus domestica Varieties 1.5m – 3m
Rootstocks only
Peer tree Quince A & Quince C Pyrus varieties 1.5m – 3m
Rootstocks only
6.6 GSPC will determine which trees are suitable to be planted, as well as the number of
each species and total number allowed at each site.
6.7 Memorial trees may not be decorated with any items, including but not limited to, lights,
pictures, flowers and flags. Any such items will be removed by GSPC without reference to
the applicant.
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GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
7. Memorial Plaques for Trees
7.1 The size, style, font and material of memorial plaques will be specified by GSPC.
7.2 Wording on plaques must follow the layout and requirements of the application form.
7.3 The proposed inscription on a memorial plaque must be approved by GSPC before the
order is placed. Inappropriate language will not be accepted.
7.4 The applicant will be responsible for maintaining the memorial plaque. GSPC will conduct
periodic reviews to assess the condition of memorial plaques and reserves the right to
remove any plaque in a poor state of repair. GSPC will endeavour to contact the applicant
to provide an opportunity to clean or repair the memorial plaques prior to removal.
8. Restrictions
8.1 Applications for memorials for pets will not be accepted.
8.2 Ashes may not be incorporated under or around the trees.
8.3 No additional commemorative items such as vases, flowers (in bunches or pots), statues
will be permitted. GSPC reserves the right to remove any such items without reference to
the applicant.
8.4 No additional planting such as bulbs or flowers will be permitted. GSPC reserves the right
to remove any such planting without reference to the applicant.
9. Costs
9.1 Costs will be calculated at the time of application. GSPC will only charge that required to
cover purchase of the memorial plaque, tree, stake & guard (if necessary)
9.2 On approval of an application, payment must be made in full prior to purchase and
installation of the memorial tree and plaque.
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GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
APPENDIX A: APPLICATION TO PURCHASE A MEMORIAL TREE
Please complete all sections
Please ensure that the consent form in Appendix B is also completed.
Your application can only be processed if both forms are completed and signed. When
completed, please return the form to:
Parish Clerk, Great Sankey Parish Council, Whittle Hall Community Centre, Lonsdale
Close, WA5 3UA.
Email: enquiries@gs-pc.net
Once your application has been approved, GSPC will determine the charge for the Memorial
Tree. Full payment must be made before the tree and plaque will be purchased.
Name of person to be in memory of
State Eligibility for a Memorial Tree (see section 4)
Full Name of Applicant
Address
Postcode
Contact Telephone Number
Email address
Relationship of the Applicant to the Person the tree is in memory of
Memorial Tree
Please state preference, if any
Site for the memorial tree (see section 5)
Type of memorial tree (see section 6)
Memorial Plaque
The plaque can contain up to 25 words.
IN MEMORY OF
Please provide the name as you wish it to appear:
Please provide year of birth and year of death:
–
Please add any additional text within the total word
limit (inappropriate language or messages will not
be accepted)
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GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
Declaration
I declare that
• To the best of my knowledge and belief the information I have given is correct.
• I understand that GSPC accepts no responsibility if a tree is damaged, vandalised or
stolen.
• I understand that GSPC reserves the right to remove trees at any time.
• I understand and accept the responsibility to keep the plaque in a fit state of repair.
• I understand and accept the restrictions and conditions of the Memorial Tree and
Plaque stated within the policy.
• I authorise GSPC to make any necessary enquiries to verify the information on this
form.
• Payment will be made to GSPC upon receipt of the invoice and understand that the
tree and plaque will not be purchased until this is received.
Please submit the completed consent form with your application
Signed:
Print Name:
Dated:
For GSPC office use only
Approval granted by:
Signed:
Dated:
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GSPC Memorial Tree Policy
APPENDIX B: CONSENT FORM
Great Sankey Parish Council (GSPC) is a data controller under the General Data Protection
Regulations (GDPR). Your privacy is important to us and we want to communicate with you
in a way which has your consent and which is in line with GDPR. We need your express
consent in writing to how we contact you. Please fill in the contact details you want us to use
to communicate with you.
Name
Address
Postcode
Email address
Phone number
By signing this form, you are consenting to GSPC holding and processing your personal
data for the following (please tick to grant consent)
I consent to GSPC contacting me by
Post
Phone
Email
In relation to the memorial tree and plaque purchased and placed on land owned by GSPC.
Signed:
Dated:
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