13 October 2009 09-10-13 Timms Selsey Drive

bc Barry Timms Borough Council Town Hall Belinda Young George Street E: [email protected] Luton DL: +44 (0) 1245 293247 F: +44 (0) 1245 293202 LU1 2BQ 136 New London Road Chelmsford CM2 0RG T: +44 (0) 1245 269 311 savills.com

Dear Barry

Putteridge Bury Estate - Trees along Selsey Drive

I write further to our conversation this morning regarding the recent felling of the poplars along Selsey Drive.

As part of our ongoing estate management, there is a rolling programme of tree surveys undertaken on behalf of my clients, The Newcombe Estates Company, on their land at Putteridgebury. As part of this, the poplar trees, which ran on the field side of the wall along Selsey Drive, were identified as being in a poor state and requiring felling. We therefore instructed Nicholsons to obtain a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to fell all the poplar, restocking with a more appropriate mixture of native broadleaved trees.

The felling licence was granted in November 2007 but the work delayed to September 2009 to fit with the management of the agricultural land adjoining which was used to access the trees. I wrote to all the residents along Selsey Drive on 21st August 2009 informing them of the impending works, explaining the reason the work was taking place and that the length would be restocked; I enclose a copy of my letter. In response to my letter, I received one email and since work has started, I have received two further phone calls. On each occasion I have explained further the reason for the works and the necessity of the felling and all individuals I have spoken to have been very reasonable.

I had also contacted on 27th August to notify them of the impending works and to ensure that they were aware of who had instructed the contractors, in anticipation of their receiving enquiries from the public.

It has therefore been disappointing that the contractors have had to endure abuse to varying degrees throughout their time on site, most seriously when aerosol cans were deposited onto a burning fire yesterday. We choose our contractors carefully and having visited the site myself, it is clear that they have undertaken their task to a high professional standard. We had worked together to try to ensure that adjoining residents were well-briefed but this has not prevented a high degree of adverse reaction.

Work to fell the poplars is now complete and the contractors and their equipment have left site. There is however further work to be undertaken and the main purpose of my letter is to try to ensure that there are no further unpleasant incidents. Contractors will return to site in November for approximately one day to pollard and lop some of the thorn trees. This is intended to prevent damage to the brick wall and to deter access. Whilst there is no right of way along the field side of the wall, we are aware that people, including pupils at School, take access for a variety of reasons. We wish to discourage this, most pertinently to prevent damage to the newly planted trees.

The planting season for new trees starts on 1st December and after this date, contractors will return to site to re-stock the tree belt with a mixture of native broadleaved trees.

Offices and associates throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Savills (L&P) Limited. Chartered Surveyors. Regulated by RICS. A subsidiary of Savills plc. Savills (L&P) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activity. Registered in No.2605138. Registered office: 20 Grosvenor Hill, London W1K 3HQ a I note from an internet search that the issue of the trees has been raised in the minutes of the Ward Forum and that your name has been included as the person to be involved. I would therefore be grateful if you could pass on the information above but please come back to me with any queries.

Many thanks for your assistance with this.

Yours sincerely

Belinda Young Associate

Enclosures: copy letter

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