Agenda item

The Committee considered the above-mentioned Tree Preservation Order T18 (Norway maple) to fell to ground level.  TPO No.9 of 2023.  The application had been referred to the Planning Committee because more than 10 letters of objection had been received, contrary to the Officer’s recommendation.  However, nobody had registered to speak.

The Committee received a presentation from the Tree Officer, Tim Holman.  The application was for the felling of one Norway Spruce at the property 54 Potters Lane also known as Pembroke House in Send.  The tree was located in extensive grounds at a property that had changed ownership in the autumn of 2023.  The Tree Officer had received a telephone call from ward members and residents of tree felling taking place near an Area TPO that was designated to protect all tree species that were present within the curtilage of 54 Pembroke House.  The Norwegian maple had been mechanically ring barked.  This is a deep cut around the full circumference of the tree that penetrates through the outer protective bark layer.  This damage would not kill the tree straight away, but it would interrupt the flow of nutrients and water up and down the tree and would lead to its demise in the next year.  In addition, extensive mammal damage had been caused by rabbits and deer, bark stripping the tree.  Such a wound to a tree would make it very susceptible to decay pathogens to get in and ultimately to decay at the base.  The tree was also growing over the road and was one-sided in its growth pattern.     

The Committee discussed the application and noted that the Norwegian Maple would not have had a TPO put on it as an individual species.  The Committee noted that the tree had to be replaced within 3 years and queried if this could be conducted more quickly.  The Tree Officer, Tim Holman confirmed that it was not for the Local Planning Authority to enforce and was for the property owner to conduct the works required.  Owing to the tree over hanging the highway, Surrey Highways could serve a S154 Notice so that the work was conducted with a 28-day notice issued.  It was also confirmed that it was up to the Committee’s discretion if they wished to specify that the works were conducted within 2 years or sooner.  The Committee agreed that a condition was added stating that the works should be conducted within a year. 

A motion was moved and seconded to approve the application which was seconded.

In conclusion, having taken account of the representations received in relation to the application, the Committee;

RESOLVED to approve the tree works subject to the conditions and reasons as outlined in the report and the additional condition recommending that the works are conducted within 1 year.