Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director for Place Management.

The report details the objection(s) received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 329 - 352 Wilmslow Road, Heald Green, and ensures that the objections to the TPO are appropriately and efficiently considered.

The Area Committee is recommended to:

a)    Note all Tree Preservation Orders where objections have been considered by officers.

b)   Accept the recommendations of the Arboricultural Officer and allow the TPO to be Confirmed, subject to amendments to the Order Schedule and Plan.  

c)    That the objectors are informed of the decision.

Officer contact: Peter Pollard 0161 474 5637 | peter.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director for Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing objections received to a proposed Tree Preservation Order (TPO) at 329 - 352 Wilmslow Road, Heald Green.

Peter Pollard (Arboriculture Officer, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Area Committee. The Chair of the Area Committee exercised her discretion under Council Meeting Procedure Rule 25 to enable public speaking in relation to this agenda item to secure a proper, full, and effective debate.

A member of the public spoke in objection to the Tree Preservation Order, and

a member of the public spoke in support of the Tree Preservation Order.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

• It was noted that the Arboriculture Officer had previously been invited onto site by concerned residents in relation to the removal of trees at the rear of the site. It was felt by the Arboriculture Officer that some of the trees were worthy of TPOs. It was also noted that, between the Arboriculture Officer’s first and second visits to the site, two ash trees had been felled.
• The Arboriculture Officer, having assessed the trees, felt that three poplar trees were not worthy of protection by way of a TPO.
• It was reported that a set of criteria was followed for the council to deem a tree worthy of a TPO, this included but was not limited to, the condition, longevity and visibility of a tree, and the amenity value and nature potential of a tree. If a tree met a certain threshold (using a points system), then the tree could be worthy of a TPO. Officer expertise and discretion was also used to inform the decision.
• Members noted that any person could request the council to assess whether a TPO was appropriate for a tree. It was further clarified that any tree could qualify for a TPO if appropriate for the location.
• It was advised that there was a roughly equal split between landowners and other interested parties that made requests for TPOs. Once a request was made, the Arboriculture Officer made an initial inspection of the tree, and thereafter, instructions were issued to the Legal Department to make a Tree Preservation Order. Following this, the relevant people, residents and interested parties, were notified, and given an opportunity to comment on the proposed TPO.
• It was noted that a TPO, once confirmed, conferred protection onto a tree, which included enabling the maintenance of the tree.
• It was stated that the objector had sought the advice of an independent Arboriculture Officer.
• Members were keen to understand the legal process surrounding the proposed TPO, and for the making of TPO’s in general, as well as an Area Committee’s role and responsibilities in the wider process. It was requested that a briefing on TPO policies and procedures be arranged for members in advance of the next meeting of the Area Committee.
• Members also felt that it would be beneficial to see the trees in question and suggested that a site visit be arranged for members in advance of the next meeting of the Area Committee.
• Members raised concerns with regards to the level of information provided to members in the initial report to Area Committee, and suggested that future reports could be more comprehensive to enable members to be better informed to consider and determine TPO matters quickly and efficiently.
• The Area Committee felt that further information was required to enable members to reach a decision on the matter.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee to enable members to undertake a site visit and pending the submission of an updated report containing further information on the council’s policies and procedures in relation to Tree Preservation Orders, and providing further clarity as to the legal process in relation to the making of the proposed Tree Preservation Order at 329 – 351 Wilmslow Road, Heald Green.