This Application Is Referred to Committee Because the Applicant Is an Officer of the Council

REPORT OF:

/ HEAD OF BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
AUTHOR: /

Malcolm James

TELEPHONE: /

01737 276179

E-MAIL: / TO: /

PLANNING COMMITTEE

DATE: /

3 November 2004

AGENDA ITEM: /

15

APPLICATION NO: / P/04/02015/TPO / WARD: / HC / RECEIVED: / 20/08/04
APPLICANT: / Mr. A Bourne / AGENT: / None
LOCATION: / 9 BURTON CLOSE, HORLEY
DESCRIPTION: / Thin crown system of oak by up to a maximum of 20% in density and the cutting back of secondary branches to provide 4m clearance between the tree and the dwelling
DRAWING NUMBERS: / One drawing (unnumbered)

This application is referred to Committee because the applicant is an officer of the Council.

SUMMARY

The application proposes the pruning of one oak tree located within the front side boundary of the property. The pruning would involve the thinning of the crown system by up to a maximum of 20% in density and the cutting back of secondary branches encroaching towards the dwelling to provide four metres clearance between the tree and dwelling.

The proposed pruning works are considered to be minor and will reduce conflict between the tree and the dwelling and will increase light levels to the soft landscape area to the front of the dwelling.

The trees and general landscaping at the property are well maintained and the current proposal is regarded as being appropriate arboricultural maintenance that does not result in the loss of any visual amenity to the wider locality.

RECOMMENDATION

Consent to carry out the tree works is GRANTED subject to conditions.

Consultations:

Horley & District Chamber of Commerce: no response

Cable Watch Seeboard Powercare: no response

Horley Town Council: no objection

Representations:

Eight neighbours were notified by letters dated 23.08.04. No responses received.

1.0 Site and Surroundings

1.1 The application site includes a detached dwelling located in a small development of four houses off Russells Crescent. The development was completed in 1996. The dwelling is located within a predominantly residential area close to the centre of Horley. The oak tree subject to the application stands in the front side garden boundary to the south-east of the dwelling.

1.2 The area has established landscaping with a medium cover of mature trees and shrubs. The tree the subject of this application is protected by Tree Preservation Order RE721 made in 1996 and is designated T3 within that Order. The Order was served principally to retain various significant trees as part of the development.

2.0 Relevant Planning History

97/00050/TREE / Prune one oak tree and one poplar / Approved 13/02/97
97/06790/TREE / Reduce height of one Lombardy poplar / Approved 25/06/97
98/10970/TREE / Prune Lombardy poplar and reduce height / Approved 16/09/98
01/02445/TPO / Prune one poplar to previous pruning points / Approved 16/01/02
03/01759/TPO / Fell one poplar / Approved 05/11/03

3.0 Current Proposal

3.1 The proposed pruning works to the protected oak involve the thinning of the crown system by up to a maximum of 20% in density and the cutting back of secondary branches to provide a 4m clearance between the tree and dwelling.

4.0 Policy Context

4.1 Local Plan Designation

Urban Area

4.2 Surrey Structure Plan 1994

Protecting the Environment / PE9

4.3 Reigate and Banstead Borough Local Plan 1994

Landscape and Nature Conservation / Pc4

4.4 Surrey Structure Plan (Deposit Draft) 2002

Sustaining the Environment / SE9

4.5 Other Material Considerations

British Standard 3998:1989 ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’
British Standard 5837:1991 ‘Trees in Relation To Construction’

5.0 Principal Issues

5.1 The main issue to consider is whether the proposed works would undermine the long-term public visual amenity of the tree.

Visual Amenity

5.2 The oak provides moderate public visual amenity to the immediate locality. The tree surgery management detailed is acceptable in arboricultural terms and will comply with the guidelines and advice contained in the British Standard 3998: 1989 (Tree Works). It would not result in any significant loss of visual amenity.

5.3 The tree surgery management is deemed necessary to improve the relationship for the medium term future between the tree and the dwelling. It would enable the tree to continue to provide a pleasant visual feature in the area, without causing a nuisance to the adjoining property.

CONDITIONS

1. All work shall conform to British Standard 3998:1989 "Recommendations for tree works" and shall consist only of that detailed in the application as qualified by these conditions. The work shall be completed in its entirety within one year of the date of this decision, or any longer period agreed in writing by the Council.

Reason:

In the interest of good arboricultural practice and to conserve the visual amenity and landscape of this locality with regard to Reigate and Banstead Borough Local Plan 1994 policy Pc4 and the Surrey Structure Plan 1994 policies PE9 and PE10.

2. The crown thinning shall be to a maximum of 20% in density and shall be evenly distributed throughout the crown system and not confined to the central crown areas.

Reason:

3. All pruning cuts shall be made to suitable growth points.

Reason:

INFORMATIVES

1. The use of suitably experienced, equipped and insured tree surgeons is essential for the correct implementation of the above-approved works. The tree surgeon undertaking the approved works must see a copy of the decision and the application details which, subject to the above conditions, now form the approved specification before work is commenced.

2. The immediate neighbours, and other interested parties, should be advised, as far as possible of the work proposed and the reasons for it to avoid unnecessary concern.

3. The Council’s Tree Officer should be advised of the date that the approved works are to be undertaken to allow site inspection to be made at this time or subsequently.

4. The Tree Preservation Order protects other trees at this property in addition to the tree detailed in the above consent.

M:\BDS\DC\Ctreports 2004\03 November 2004\04.02015.TPO - 9 Burton Close, Horley.doc