Charging for planning permission for tree work...

[Simon Rotheram]

The daily Mail have published an article claiming that the government have plans to change the charges for planning applications. See Link: (No staring at Nigella )

 

Councils set to charge what they like to grant planning permission - for even the smallest job | Mail Online

 

How do you think it will effect trees and Arborists if charges are implemented for TPO/Conservation area applications? Will people avoid submitting applications and carry the risk undertaking the works anyway? Will this lead to poor pruning to protected trees by homeowners and cowboy outfits?

[wildwood-dwt]

The daily Mail have published an article claiming that the government have plans to change the charges for planning applications. See Link: (No staring at Nigella )

 

Councils set to charge what they like to grant planning permission - for even the smallest job | Mail Online

 

How do you think it will effect trees and Arborists if charges are implemented for TPO/Conservation area applications? Will people avoid submitting applications and carry the risk undertaking the works anyway? Will this lead to poor pruning to protected trees by homeowners and cowboy outfits?

 

Can this be right? Why on eath do people pay council tax do we not get anything for it any more!

Undoubtably it will have a knock on effect to us and more cowboys will be taking more risks and putting trees and people in danger! If this is so as always the people who do things by the book will ultimatly be the ones who get stung!

[Paul Barton]

I had heard this somewhere else recently...can't remember where though!

 

I think this is a double-edged sword. On the one hand the council do need to raise funds in order to enable their staff to actually fulfill their roles. Perhaps if a planning department can raise some money by charging for TPO apps then they can actually afford to pay enforcement officers to visit sites and prosecute those that flout the law.

 

On the other hand as you say Simon, this could well lead to alot of people simply not bothering to go through the application process. As contractors we will need to pass on the cost of applications to our clients which is going to make our services more expensive....which may lead to customers choosing to use less reputable contractors.

 

As usual the Daily Mail have managed to put their ridiculous spin on it though: "There would be little to stop councillors piling into cars to inspect every application - followed by a pub lunch - knowing they could pass on the full costs to the applicant. "

 

As if council staff have the time to take the piss with going out for pub lunches at the tax payers expense. Most Tree Officers I know are stretched beyond full capacity already.

[Paul Barton]

This is only at the consultation stage at the moment. View the consultation paper at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1769286.pdf

 

...and comment if you don't want it to happen!

[Gnarlyoak]

Could'nt read the article, Nigellas pillows kept make me cross eyed.....

[Simon Rotheram]

As usual the Daily Mail have managed to put their ridiculous spin on it though: "There would be little to stop councillors piling into cars to inspect every application - followed by a pub lunch - knowing they could pass on the full costs to the applicant. "

 

.

 

If they actually did that, rather than attending sites in a car each, it would be a start!

[Tonythetree]

Simon you've made an old chap very happy:biggrin: what was the question again

Tony

[Mesterh]

Well I could see the number of TPO'd trees increasing a bit.

 

Surely no good will come of it for the contrator or the client.

 

As wildwood-dwt said, what do my rates pay for exactly?

[djbobbins]

So presumably the intention is to stop scurrilous property developers submitting numerous planning applications until everyone involved gets so sick of it that they cave in?

 

I can agree with that to an extent, but think it is very worrying that councils will be allowed to do planning applications as an "at cost" (or maybe "cost plus"?) exercise. When was the last time that knowing that all costs would be recovered led someone to think -"Hmmm, I'll do this one particularly efficiently."??

[Bundle 2]

Its outrageous! So called fair society...This govt are talking more crap than the last lot...and that's going some!

The train operators sat there last night telling us that its only 6% increase...except its 10-12% where the trains are busiest, most crowded, and fares are highest.....(S/E)

It's not fair? It's not a circus either !

I think it would be a wrong turn for TPO legislation but in particular, would do no good atall to the public perception of trees.....and those trees owned and TPO'd.

There are some things we are simply going to have to accept as needing paid for...debt or no national debt.

Edited November 24, 2010 by Bundle 2