The Committee received a report on the proposed pollarding of four willow trees, which were subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), located on Council?owned land adjacent to the Holy Brook, to the west of the A33/east of Rose Kiln Lane and to the south of Laud Street. The trees were identified as being within area G5 on plan TPO 2/05, a copy of which was included at Appendix 1. Photographs of the trees were provided at Appendix 2.

The report stated that the proposed works, which were to pollard the four trees to two metres above ground level, were necessary to appropriately manage the risk the trees presented to the nearby watercourse and to enable their retention as part of the tree?lined feature along the Holy Brook. No objections or comments had been received in response to the public notice, and the report recommended that the works be approved.

At the meeting, concern was raised that the proposed tree works were likely to disturb rats which could cause a nuisance to nearby residential properties. It was therefore agreed that an informative be added requiring consultation with the Council’s Environmental Protection Team regarding potential pest control measures prior to the commencement of works.

Resolved –

That the proposed tree works be approved, subject to addition of an informative requiring consultation with the Council’s Environmental Protection Team regarding the consideration of appropriate pest control measures prior to the commencement of works.