Wellingtonia felled by idiots!

[David Humphries]

8 hours ago, sean said:

I have been doing some research into this sad situation and here is a quick outline of my findings.

 

It appears that the Wellingtonia in question. was planted in 1942  by John Dillwyn Llewellyn. He was a prominent member of Victorian Society and was a pioneer of Horticulture, Photography and Astronomy. The first photograph of the moon was taken from an observatory that he built on his estate.  

I have seen the Arboricultural report which  clearly identifies the Wellingtonia as a Category A (Heritage) tree and is clearly marked for retention. I have also spoken with the consultant arb who put the report together who in his words 'is gutted and feels sick' that the tree has been removed. On Friday I finally had a call back from from the MD of Enzo homes who maintains 'that it was a mistake. I asked my foreman to mark all trees that had a TPO and the Welligtonia was missed'. 

For  a tree of this significance to be felled 'by mistake' is unbelievable and inexcusable. 

With regards to fines etc, what is an acceptable amount? We are all aware of the pitiful fines that have been served to developers in the past so what is an adequate fine which would serve as a deterrent in the future? Given that this particular tree has a CAVAT value of approx £350,000 should the fine be an equivalent amount perhaps?

 

And now there are accusations of more trees being removed illegally.    

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/more-trees-may-been-removed-15500144

1842 surely?

[sean]

1 hour ago, David Humphries said:

1842 surely?

Yes David. Thanks And well spotted. 

[Woodlover]

When I was on Building sites 10 years ago around the Manchester area , it was common site knowledge that building control where corrupt. "cross my palm with silver " apparently was a saying used my some one in the council in order to let wrong doings be signed of.

I remember it well as it reminded me of the time my family built a house in Spain where planning permission was about £8000 and it could be a no , and a long wait(up to 2 years) for an answer...or...bung the local mayor £4000, start building tomorrow and collect all paperwork when complete.

I could not believe in the UK it happened or could happen, maybe everyone and the bosses where full of BS but I very much doubt it as I heard it from numerous other people to.

 

 

[TIMON]

My sister in law worked for a tree firm in London many years ago.
The other secretary wrote Rd instead of Av .
Twenty mature London planes felled.
£20k fine per tree.
Instant bankruptcy.
20+ staff on there arses.
[emoji51]

Bad day at the office then...

[sean]

10 hours ago, Gary Prentice said:

The developer has been 'asked' not to fell anymore trees (than all the ones  that they shouldn't have already)! 

 

That's all right then.

 

if they have already breached the conditions relating to trees that I'd presume were part of planning consent, why haven't the LA just stopped all work on the site already?

I also thought that would have been a given under the circumstances. I'm hoping to speak to somebody at Swansea council some time today so will put that question to them.

[Gary Prentice]

1 hour ago, sean said:

I also thought that would have been a given under the circumstances. I'm hoping to speak to somebody at Swansea council some time today so will put that question to them.

i bet they just love you 

 

Going back to the Cavat valuation. I don' know whether you subscribe o UKTC or not, but a recent topic was the validity of of the various methods currently in use. Jules (@Dalton Trees) has recent at some length on this and raised some very interesting points. With a bit of luck he will contribute those to this thread. 

[Khriss]

I would just say 'it's priceless' as a heritage tree and expect a suitable replacement installed with 10 yr guarantee. Too much of this nonsense going on. IF this was 'a mistake guv' best to make sure developers know what that costs. K

[Kevm]

19 hours ago, sean said:

I have been doing some research into this sad situation and here is a quick outline of my findings.

 

It appears that the Wellingtonia in question. was planted in 1842  by John Dillwyn Llewellyn. He was a prominent member of Victorian Society and was a pioneer of Horticulture, Photography and Astronomy. The first photograph of the moon was taken from an observatory that he built on his estate.  

I have seen the Arboricultural report which  clearly identifies the Wellingtonia as a Category A (Heritage) tree and is clearly marked for retention. I have also spoken with the consultant arb who put the report together who in his words 'is gutted and feels sick' that the tree has been removed. On Friday I finally had a call back from from the MD of Enzo homes who maintains 'that it was a mistake. I asked my foreman to mark all trees that had a TPO and the Welligtonia was missed'. 

For  a tree of this significance to be felled 'by mistake' is unbelievable and inexcusable. 

With regards to fines etc, what is an acceptable amount? We are all aware of the pitiful fines that have been served to developers in the past so what is an adequate fine which would serve as a deterrent in the future? Given that this particular tree has a CAVAT value of approx £350,000 should the fine be an equivalent amount perhaps?

 

And now there are accusations of more trees being removed illegally.    

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/more-trees-may-been-removed-15500144

Haul the foreman into court and threaten him with the 10grand fine and he might come up with a different story to the MD.

[Mick Dempsey]

8 hours ago, TIMON said:

 

Bad day at the office then...

 

In the last century before digital pictures, mobile phones etc. A lot of   stuff got done (and didn’t get done) because of difficulty identifying exactly what tree was to be felled.

 

[Khriss]

Ignorance is no defense in the eyes of the Law, neither is " I vos onli following orders mien herr !" K