Agenda item

The Committee considered a request to confirm the provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) which was served on the 15 May 2018 and would cease on 15 November 2018.

The District of Teignbridge (6 Millin Way) Tree Preservation Order

2018 protects two Oak trees located within the gardens of 6 Millin Way, Dawlish Warren. The TPO was made following the submission of a planning application which was withdrawn on 7 June 2018 and no new planning application had been received to date.

One letter of objection had been received, which was considered by the Committee. The objector and other interested parties did not attend the hearing.

The objections received included:

·         The crown has been cut off at 2.6m above the ground, so how can this tree be worthy of protection;

·         T2 was a danger to life and property;

·         The Arboricultural Officer had stated the trees were of no value and the objector could what they wanted, following multiple conversations;

·         Has complained to the Arboricultural Officer many times over last 4 years about cutting trees down within a 600m radius of Millin Way, and in that time 32 mature trees have been lost, and over 200 younger trees have have been permanently damaged by the chainsaws. Nothing has been done to stop this, so what is the difference.

The Committee heard from, the Council’s Arboricultural Officer who gave his reasons why the Committee should confirm the Tree Preservation Order. He repeated his comments contained within the agenda report, namely that:

·         The trees had been substantially pruned in the past and did not have a traditional form, the trees were highly visible and contributed to the visual amenity of the area;

·         No information has been provided by a suitably qualified arboriculturalist that would indicate if the trees were unstable or in dangerous condition;

·         He had no recollection of visiting the trees and informing the owner he could “could do what I liked with them”, or being contacted regarding the loss and damage of the 232 trees.

The Arboricultural Officer added that the trees were acceptable to the local amenities, no reports from the objector or a qualified tree surgeon had been received and there had been no objections from neighbouring properties.

In response to Member questions, the Arboricultural Officer explained that any  pruning work would be undertaken by the power company to prevent interference with the electrical wiring, the trees were in excellent condition, with between 40 to 100 years of life left and, there were no records from either him or the objector to indicate any correspondence to support the complaints

On balance, the Committee considered that the positive benefits of protecting the trees outweigh the negative impacts on the neighbours of the site. Therefore, the Committee

Resolved

To confirm the Tree Preservation Order unmodified.

Reasons for Decision

The Committee considered the trees provided a high amenity value and were an asset to the local area and landscape. The protection of the trees in question complies fully with Government guidance. It is therefore expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for their preservation.