Watford Council New Approach

[Hewhocarriesthepickle]

Long time reader first time poster.

 

I'm unsure if I should be impressed or concerned regarding a planning permission. I feel the pain of absolute inconsistency of England LA's with regards to BS5837 but I was very surprised recently when Watford council were challenged on the request for a BS5937 Tree Survey due the the construction of a brick building with traditional foundations within the RPA of 3 mature off site trees. When challenged (I wont go into detail by whom) the councils response......"Thank you for the drawing. Given the relatively shallow depth proposed I consider this to be acceptable. Excavations should be kept to a minimum and any significant tree roots encountered should not be cut. Ideally the foundations should be hand dug."

 

Do I need to look for another job?

[Clutchy]

Was it a domestic property? 

[Hewhocarriesthepickle]

It was. I was more surprised on how easily they folded when the applicant pointed out that other had been granted without the survey and tree protection. I guess it's just luck of the draw on which planner you get. 

[Gordon S]

44 minutes ago, Hewhocarriesthepickle said:

It was. I was more surprised on how easily they folded when the applicant pointed out that other had been granted without the survey and tree protection. I guess it's just luck of the draw on which planner you get. 

It does sound like a completely different experience to this guy:

But you would expect some level of consistency?

Different site / different planner / different result