Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ford, Parekh and Stone.

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee on the following dates are attached:

·         25 March 2014;

·         17 September 2014.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 March 2014 and 17 September 2014 were agreed and signed by the Chair, subject to the addition of Councillor Beardsworth’s apologies for the meeting on 25 March 2014.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

Copy herewith.

The Arboricultural Officer presented a report asking the Committee to consider an objection to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 229 at 17 Hillcrest Avenue, Northampton with regard to a sycamore tree.  The objection to the TPO had been made by an adjoining owner at 27 Lindale Close.  The Arboricultural Officer recommended that following consideration of the objection the TPO be confirmed.

The Committee considered the objection and the Arboricultural Officer’s comments as set out in the report.

In response to Members’ questions the Arboricultural Officer stated that:

·         Following the making of the TPO permission had been granted for minor pruning works to the tree which had reduced the lower branches overhanging the garden of 27 Lindale Close by approximately two metres and the works had been carried out.

·         The works initially intended to be carried out by the owners of 27 Lindale Close would have reduced the crown overhanging their garden by 5m and would have affected the appearance of the tree.

·         The crown of the tree was unlikely to grow much beyond its current size of 17m and the final height of the tree was likely to be 20m or 22m (currently 18m). The tree could reasonably be expected to have a safe, useful life expectancy of at least 20-40 years.

Having considered the objection made and the comments of the Arboricultural Officer on the objection it was:

RESOLVED:

That Tree Preservation Order No. 229 at 17 Hillcrest Avenue, Northampton NN3 2AB be confirmed.