Agenda item - Tree Enforcement

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1.    Noted that enforcement of tree issues relating to development sites, including enforcement of planning conditions, is undertaken by the Planning Enforcement Team under the terms of the Planning Enforcement Policy (Appendix 1).

2.    Noted that the Arboricultural Team undertakes enforcement of tree issues where there are Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in place or trees in conservation areas (CA) in locations that are not presently subject to a planning consent.

3.    Requested officers to develop a draft enforcement policy relating to trees protected by TPOs, breaches of legislation around CA tree works and brings it to City Environment, South Downs and the Sea Committee for adoption followed by a communications plan.

10.1 The Chair invited Nicola Hurley to introduce the report starting on page 31 of the Agenda.

10.2 Councillors Miller and Bagaeen were informed about the procedure for enforcement where there is a breach of planning requirements, the reliance on members of the public reporting issues with sites throughout the city, and what legal powers the Council have to stop utility providers from cutting down trees that interfere with digital apparatus. Councillor Cattell raised that all complaints regarding tree enforcement are kept strictly confidential.

RESOLVED:

That Committee:

1.    Noted that enforcement of tree issues relating to development sites, including enforcement of planning conditions, is undertaken by the Planning Enforcement Team under the terms of the Planning Enforcement Policy (Appendix 1).

2.    Noted that the Arboricultural Team undertakes enforcement of tree issues where there are Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in place or trees in conservation areas (CA) in locations that are not presently subject to a planning consent.

3.    Requested officers to develop a draft enforcement policy relating to trees protected by TPOs, breaches of legislation around CA tree works and brings it to City Environment, South Downs and the Sea Committee for adoption followed by a communications plan.