Agenda item

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a two-storey side extension.

The Chairman queried whether the Arboricultural Officer had considered the tree statement dated 19 May 2022. The Planning Officer confirmed that the Arboricultural Officer had not provided specific feedback on the report, however they had been clear that their opinion was that the removal of the tree was fundamentally unacceptable.

Councillor L Lyons, Ward Councillor spoke in support of the application and commented that he had been working with the applicant for some time. He noted that the previous refusal reasons had been largely overcome, however there was still an issue with this T1 protected tree. Councillor L Lyons commented that the report that had been submitted by the applicant was from a well-known company which stated that the tree was in poor condition and said that the tree could be a risk to the existing property. It was flagged up that the tree had already been significantly damaged by the historic installation of a fence behind the property. Councillor L Lyons ask the Committee members to consider approving the application, with a condition added to ensure two replacement trees were planted elsewhere on site.

Some Members questioned why there was such conflicting advice from the Council’s Arboricultural Officer and the external tree report. The Chairman commented that it was likely because no method statement had been included. Thomas James clarified that a Method Statement needed to be included at the point of application and could not be added as a condition.

Some Members of the Committee suggested that these issues raised around the T1 tree was not sufficient to go against the Planning Officer’s recommendation.

Some discussion around deferral of the application ensued, but it was confirmed by the Planning Officer that conversations had already taken place with the application regarding protecting the tree and they had confirmed that they were not willing to do that.

Councillor T Aziz supported Councillor L Lyons opinion and added that on visiting the site, the damage already caused to the property by the tree was very clear. Councillor T Aziz proposed, and it was duly seconded by Councillor A Boote, that the application be approved.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on the motion above.  The votes for and against approval of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs T Aziz, A Boote and G Cosnahan.

                                 TOTAL:  3

Against:                              Cllrs J Brown, S Dorsett, S Oades, P Graves, L Morales (Chairman) and M Whitehand.

                                 TOTAL:  6

Present but not voting:      None.

                                 TOTAL:  0

The application was therefore not approved.

In accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the Chairman deemed that a division should be taken on the recommendation in the report.  The votes for and against refusal of the application were recorded as follows.

In favour:                           Cllrs J Brown, S Dorsett, S Oades, P Graves, L Morales (Chairman) and M Whitehand.

                                 TOTAL:  6

Against:                              None

                                 TOTAL:  0

Present but not voting:      CllrsT Aziz, A Boote and G Cosnahan.

                                 TOTAL:  3

The application was therefore refused.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be refused.