Fw: Cherry tree at 1 Hayfield Road - fyi

[FM RUBIN]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: CALDICOTT Kevin <kcald...@oxford.gov.uk>
To: FM RUBIN <fmr...@btinternet.com>
Cc: TOWNSEND Paul (Planning) <ptow...@oxford.gov.uk>
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2012, 8:45
Subject: RE: Cherry tree at 1 Hayfield Road

Dear Frances

Thanks for your message. I am aware the tree was damaged last week; the Council’s planning enforcement officer was contacted by the developer with a ‘confession’/apology and a request for advice about what to do next. I advised them to get the project arboriculturalist to visit site and make recommendation for any necessary remedial pruning works. The planning enforcement officer has asked for an explanation of how the tree came to be damaged and what action will be taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. In the meantime I will certainly visit site to see the damage for myself and to review the tree protection measures which are in place on site.

Regards

Kevin

 

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From: FM RUBIN [mailto:fmr...@btinternet.com]
Sent: 17 August 2012 17:56
To: CALDICOTT Kevin
Subject: Cherry tree at 1 Hayfield Road

 

 

Dear Mr Caldicott

 

I write with reference to the cherry tree at 1 Hayfield Road . I am copying below your email exchange earlier this year, with Cllr Jim Campbell on the subject.

 

I thought it as well to bring to your notice the following.  

Perhaps not unexpectedly, the tree is suffering somewhat despite branches being lopped to facilitate deliveries and ground work. Quite a number of branches have been broken off this week and we are only at an early stage in materials delivery.

 

One resident has had a conversation with people working on site this week, and they have promised to take more care in future. However there is no guarantee that the work force will remain constant.

 

If you or any colleagues are in the area perhaps you could take a look.

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Many thanks

 

Frances Rubin

Chair

Hayfield Road Residents Association

20 Hayfield Rd

Mob 07980648895

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Jim Campbell

To: Catherine Robinson ; Jonathan Clark

Cc: miranda robinson ; harry hadaway ; frances rubin ; Catherine Hilliard ; anthony kedros ; julie elliott ; Jonathan Clark ; d_m_s...@yahoo.co.uk

Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 2:22 PM

Subject: Re: Cherry tree - photo?

 

Here is the answer I have had from the tree officer, Kevin Caldicott, to my questions about protection both for the line of prunus trees and for the cherry tree next to No.1.

 

I find his comments quite reassuring. He is not only prompt in replying, but thoughtful and reliable (not something I would say for all council officers!). He is happy for me to pass on his comments, and ends his message by saying, "Let's keep an eye on the situation." I am sure we will.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Best wishes,

 

Jim

 

Dear Jim  

I agree, these trees certainly make a valuable contribution to visual amenity in the area and as you say their “contextual significance” is such that they should be retained unless there is a robust justification to do otherwise. They could be protected by a TPO if they weren’t already protected, but since they already enjoy statutory protection by virtue of their location in the conservation area - in planning law the offence of felling a tree in the conservation area without giving the Council prior notice is the same is felling a TPO tree without consent - no real benefit would accrue.

So, as things stand I have to say I don’t think it is expedient for the Council to use its powers to make a TPO at this time. This would change if the Council ever received formal notification of the intent to fell or prune (in a way which will significantly harm their amenity value) any of the trees or a planning application to develop the Wadham owned site, but as things stand neither of these things apply.  

Turning to the 2^nd question, the Council has indeed received notice of the intent to prune the tree on the border of 1 Hayfield Road . I’ve already visited the site and inspected the tree and in my judgement the removal of one branch as proposed will not significantly harm the tree or amenity in the area. It seems like a common sense move, because it is prudent to ensure that building contractors vehicles, which inevitably have to access the development site at 1 Hayfield Road , do not bash into the crown of the tree and damage it. I have therefore advised the arboricultural consultant who acted as agent for the notice of proposed pruning work that removal of the branch as proposed is acceptable but only after the trunk of the tree has been protected by robust barrier fencing.

In the notification letter the arboricultural consultant outlined, for discussion,  Mr Cohen’s preference to remove and replace the tree on completion of the development, but that did not part of the formal notice of intended work. In response, I have advised the consultant that I would not support a proposal to remove the tree that the Council would make a TPO to prevent it if formal notice of such work was submitted in the future.

 I would of course be happy to meet you to look at the tree if you think it is necessary having read this reply.  

Best regards

Kevin

 

 

 

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[Catherine Robinson]

Thanks are due to Frances for her untiring work on our behalf, not only on the matter of the damage to the cherry tree, but for succeeding in getting the ten smelly wheelie bins removed from the pavement outside number 1, plus a formal warning issued to the tenants by an Environmental Health Officer.

 

Thanks also to Kylie at number 22 for drawing the city council's attention to the unwarranted expropriation of extra parking spaces by the developer at number 1.

 

La lutta continua ...

 

Catherine (number 12)

 

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