The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on two objections to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 3/19 relating to 1, 3, 5, 5a, 7, 9, Arctic House & Lime House, Grass Hill.  A copy of the TPO plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that it had been discovered in late 2018 that the TPO covering the east side of Grass Hill and part of St Peters Avenue (TPO 115/08) had unfortunately never been confirmed, and the trees had therefore not been protected.  In December 2018 a temporary Area TPO had been served on the Grass Hill and St Peters Hill properties to protect all trees until a survey could be carried out, which had subsequently identified individuals, groups and one small woodland area worthy of long-term inclusion in a TPO.  A more specific TPO had then been served on 29 May 2019 – reference 3/19.

Objections to the TPO had been made by the residents of 7 and 9 Grass Hill, details of which were set out in the report, along with officers’ comments on the objections.

The report explained that the Grass Hill area was characteristically treed in nature, with all trees contributing to this and the tree lined ridge along the Warren.  None of the objections raised were considered to be valid reasons for omitting trees from the TPO, and it was therefore recommended that the TPO be confirmed, but with the replacement of the woodland classification with two individually specified Ash trees within the area.

At the invitation of the Chair, Ward Councillor David Stevens addressed the Committee on this item.

Resolved -    That the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed with the replacement of W1 woodland with two individually specified Ash trees.