Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, a site visit to the rear of Woodlands Cottage, off Woodlands Drive, Silverdale was undertaken, in response to an objection received to Tree Preservation Order No. 452 (2008).

The following Members were present on the site visit:

Councillors Sheila Denwood (Chairman), Helen Helme (Vice-Chairman), Chris Coates, Janice Hanson, Janie Kirkman and Bob Roe.

Officers in attendance:

Maxine Knagg and Sharon Marsh.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 10^th December 2008 (previously circulated) 

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 10^th December 2008 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

Present at the meeting to consider the matter were the appellants, Mr and Mrs Lloyd, the owners of the land to the rear of Woodlands Cottage, off Woodlands Drive, Silverdale. Also present was Councillor Sarah Fishwick, Ward Councillor for Silverdale.

The Committee considered an appeal against a decision of the Council under Section 198 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, making an Order in respect of an area of Woodland to the rear of Woodlands Cottage, off Woodlands Drive, Silverdale identified as W1.

W1 was a mixed species woodland including ash, sycamore, yew, willow, beech and holly. Age class ranges from semi-mature to mature.

The site was established within Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within the village of Silverdale. The site was undulating and steep in areas, with exposed limestone, characteristic of the area. The site was established close to a small number of private residential properties off Woodlands Drive, Silverdale.

The amenity of the trees had been assessed using an objective and systematic approach (Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders – TEMPO system). A score of 15+ was achieved, supporting the action of serving a TPO.

Mr and Mrs Lloyd and Councillor Sarah Fishwick spoke in relation to their objection to the Tree Preservation Order. The main points highlighted were as follows:

• That the land was being classed as woodland when it was actually gardens.
• That some of the trees were affecting rockery and walls which needed to be rebuilt as part of the restoration of the historic gardens.
• That there were many overgrown saplings and uncontrolled growth that needed to be thinned to allow light to the mature specimen trees to allow them to grow healthily and improve the area for other plants and wildlife.
• That the area needed to be managed and it would therefore not be suitable to put a blanket TPO on the area.
• That there was little amenity value to the public as the area could not be seen by many.

Members directed questions to Mr and Mrs Lloyd and Councillor Sarah Fishwick.

The Tree Protection Officer reported that the City Council had received information from a concerned member of the public, reporting that a number of trees had been removed and several trees had been marked with spray paint. A site visit was then made by Maxine Knagg on 17^th December 2008 which confirmed that recently felled tree stumps could be seen around the site, stacked recently felled timber and a number of trees marked with spray paint, usual practice in identifying trees for removal. Equipment lay within the site to assist in the extraction and removal of felled trees.

The Tree Protection Officer informed the Committee that it was considered expedient, in the interests of amenity to make provision for the preservation of the trees in question under Sections 198, 201 and 203 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The Tree Protection Officer stated that the site was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.