Agenda item

Report of Chief Officer (Governance)

The Committee considered three formal written objections to a decision of Lancaster City Council under Section 198 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 making an order in respect of an area of trees and woodland established within the Ridgeway Park Estate, Silverdale, being Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 544 (2015), and thereafter whether or not to confirm the order.

It was reported that TPO No. 544 (2015) had been made further to a visit by a council officer in connection with planning application no. 15/00049/RCN, when it had come to the attention of the council that a large number of mature and early mature trees had been felled from woodland within the curtilage of Ridgeway Park, Lindeth Road, Silverdale.

In determining whether or not to confirm the TPO, members heard representations from the Appellants - Alison McLeod, Roger Aitken and Anthony Stubbs - and Andrew Willison-Holt of Holt Planning Consultancy Ltd, agent for Mr. & Mrs. Stubbs.  The Tree Protection Officer then presented the case on behalf of Lancaster City Council.

(The Tree Protection Officer, the Appellants - Alison McLeod, Roger Aitken, Anthony Stubbs and Ann Stubbs - and Andrew Willison-Holt, agent for
Mr. & Mrs. Stubbs, left the meeting room whilst the Committee made

its decision in private.)

Members considered the options before them:

(1)        To confirm Tree Preservation Order No. 544 (2015) -

(a)  without modification;

(b)  subject to such modification as is considered expedient.

(2)        Not to confirm Tree Preservation Order No. 544 (2015).

It was proposed by Councillor Graham and seconded by Councillor Margaret Pattison:

“That Tree Preservation Order No. 544 (2015) not be confirmed.”

Upon being put to the vote, 4 Members voted in favour of the proposition and 1 against, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

(The Tree Protection Officer, the Appellants - Alison McLeod, Roger Aitken, Anthony Stubbs and Ann Stubbs - and Andrew Willison-Holt, agent for
Mr. & Mrs. Stubbs, returned to the meeting for the decision to be announced.)

Resolved:

That Tree Preservation Order No. 544 (2015) not be confirmed.