A new housing density plan's sparked fears for the livelihoods of native trees.

Labour and National came together last month to put forward the bill, which is now the subject of submissions.

It would cut red tape on building apartments and townhouses in suburbs which only allow standard homes.

The Tree Council says consent would still be needed to cut down protected trees, but it would be non-notified.

Secretary Mels Barton told Andrew Dickens normally if a tree is threatened, her council can write submissions or go to court to protect it.

“When people want to do things with their section, they don’t always tell the full story, and so the planner who just gets the application on their desk, they’re not seeing any independent evidence.”

LISTEN ABOVE