Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Sub-Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

  that Councillor P G Mitchell be elected Chairman of the Sub-Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Group held on 16th April 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Group held on 16th April 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

  that Councillor P K Ursell be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda Item.  Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.

No declarations were received.

To note the terms of reference and the method of operation of the Sub-Group.

Having been reminded of their terms of reference and method of operation (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members

RESOLVED

  that the terms of reference and method of operation of the Sub-Group be noted.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager.

(Mr Griffiths, Objector, addressed the Sub-Group on the Item).

A report by the Planning Policy Manager was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding an objection received to a Tree Preservation Order which had been made to protect newly planted lime trees and an oak tree located on land adjacent to No. 1 Cinders Close, Needingworth.

In his presentation, the Urban Design, Trees and Landscape Team Leader advised that Cinders Close comprised four new houses developed following approval of a planning consent and that the development had been subject to the implementation of an approved landscaping scheme which had been negotiated by the Arboricultural Officer and the developer.  Following negotiations it was agreed that the scheme should provide for the planting of six limes and an oak to enhance the visual amenity of the area.

In response to the issues raised by Mr Griffiths, the objector, the Sub-Group were informed that a TPO also was intended to protect the space where the tree grows, not just the current tree and that the TPO would not necessarily remove the rights of the owner to undertake any works such as pollarding or replacement in the future. Members understood that the tree roots would only extend in proportion to the height of the tree.

Members continued to express disquiet at the potential effect of the trees on the foul water drainage system and driveways adjacent to the property at No. 1 Cinders Close and after discussion, were of the view that they did not possess information sufficient to allay their concerns and to make a decision.  Therefore, Members

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order L/TPO/224 be deferred to enable the Arboricultural Officer to address the concerns raised to the satisfaction of the owner of No. 1 Cinders Close including the possibility of replacing existing trees with alternative species;

  (b)  that should the assurances offered be acceptable to the objector at that address, the Head of Planning Services be authorised to confirm the Tree Preservation Order; and

  (c)  that, in the event that the objection cannot be resolved, the matter be re-submitted to the Sub-Group.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager.

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Sub-Group were acquainted with an objection received to the making of a Tree Preservation Order to protect newly planted lime trees and an oak tree located on land adjacent to No.3 Cinders Close, Needingworth.

The content of an e-mail received from Mr Steadman, objector and owner of No. 3 Cinders Close, was conveyed to the Sub-Group.

Given that the circumstances of the objection and the views of the Sub-Group in response were identical to those recorded in Minute No. 6 ante, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order - L/TPO/225 be deferred to enable the Arboricultural Officer to address the concerns raised to the satisfaction of the owner of No. 3 Cinders Close, including the possibility of replacing existing trees with alternative species;

  (b)  that should the assurances offered be acceptable to the objector at that address, the Head of Planning Services be authorised to confirm the Tree Preservation Order; and

  (c)  that, in the event, that the objection cannot be resolved, the matter be re-submitted to the Sub-Group.