The Committee considered a report on proposed work to five lime trees at 8 Victoria Road, Tilehurst, which were subject to a Tree Protection Order (TPO) as the applicants were serving Councillors.  The trees were shown as T3-17 on plan TPO 18/15 attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that on 29 September 2025 an application had been received from the owners seekingconsent to re-pollard five lime trees (application referencePL/25/1373). Thereason forthe pruning was cited asbeing that ‘these trees have been managed for many years through pollarding and they now require this in the normal cycle’.  During an officer site visit, crown lifting by removing all basal and epicormic growth had been added to the application in order to provide better clearance for driveway use.  Appendix 2 contained a photograph of the trees in situ.

The report concluded that re-pollarding was considered to be appropriate cyclical management of the trees, which were maintained as pollards. The crown lifting was considered reasonable due to the low foliage impeding access to the driveway and vehicles parked there. If agreed, approval would be subject to conditions requiring works to be done to good arboricultural practice and would limit the timing of the works to certain periods of the year to minimise impact on the trees’ future health.

Resolved –

That the proposed tree work to the lime trees be approved.

(Councillor Davies declared an interest in this application.  He left the meeting and took no part in the debate or decision.)