Agenda and draft minutes

No apologies were received.

A single ash tree & six single lime trees along the frontage of a property known as Lakeside Buildings at the eastern end of Wintringham Village.

The Tree & Landscape Officer submitted a report (previously circulated) in order to advise Members of the objections received in connection with the above Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

The Order was made following a recent planning application for development close to the trees.  The land was to change ownership, and the trees were outside of the Wintringham conservation area boundary.  Prior to making the Tree Preservation Order, the trees were assessed under the criteria of the ‘Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders’ which was one of the recognised methods of assessing the suitability of trees for inclusion within a tree preservation order.

A copy of the TPO plan, evaluation sheet and letter of objection were appended to the report.

The objections from the owner’s agents had been made on two grounds and were summarised as follows:

1.    Permission had recently been granted for the conversion of building adjacent to the trees which brought into question the long term retention of the trees on safety grounds.

2.    A more robust assessment of the trees should be undertaken by the Council and that T4 was a poor specimen.

3.    Members were also made aware that there was a clerical error in schedule 1 of the Tree Preservation Order where T7 was referred to as Lime rather than Ash.  This could be corrected in any amendments to the Tree Preservation Order approved by Members.

Included within the report was a summary of the tree assessment carried out by the Tree and Landscape Officer, and he was of the opinion that these trees fulfilled the criteria for making a TPO and that the trees were under a perceived threat, especially considering the content of the objector’s letter.

Members visited the site, and after careful consideration were of the opinion that the TPO should be confirmed.

            Resolved

            That Tree Preservation Order 329/2011 be confirmed with        modifications.