The Committee considered a report on an objection to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) 5/23 relating to one Sycamore on Council land at 65-83 Grove Road, Emmer Green. A copy of the TPO plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and photographs were provided in Appendix 2.

The report stated that several complaints had been received from Emmer Green Kindergarten at 85 Grove Road relating to the Sycamore tree since 2019.  Officers had responded to requests to prune the tree to alleviate the concerns raised and had done so in July 2022 and March 2023.  Despite the pruning, concerns had continued relating to nuisance caused by the tree, as set out in a complaint letter, received on 13 June 2023, in which it had been suggested by the owner of the Kindergarten that the tree be pollarded.  They had been advised this would not be good arboricultural practice for the tree, hence it would not be acceptable.

The complainant had made it clear that if the Council did not prune the tree to their satisfaction that they would hire a tree surgeon to prune the tree back to the boundary, which they had acknowledged would make the tree unstable.  Given this, a TPO had been considered appropriate to protect the tree from such harmful works and this had been served on 19 July 2023.

The report summarised objections to the TPO that had been received from the owner of the Emmer Green Kindergarten and set out officer comments in response. 

The report concluded that pruning had already been carried out and additional pruning had been agreed to alleviate the concerns raised.  Significant work in the form of pruning the entire crown back to the boundary or pollarding would go against good arboricultural practice as it would be harmful to the health and amenity value of the tree.  Without a TPO, the former could be carried out under common law. The presence of the TPO prevented detrimental works to the high-amenity, Council-owned tree and the recommendation was therefore to confirm the TPO.

It was reported at the meeting that the additional pruning had now been carried out.

Resolved –

That the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed.