Conservation Area

[LimbWalker]

Hi everyone,

 

So basically, around a month ago I applied to take down one fairly large Chestnut at the end of a customers garden as it had already lost several large branches and shades their garden and house completely.

It's in a conservation area so filled out the paperwork and sent it off. The tree didn't have a TPO so no problems there.

 

..Got a call from the customer today saying that the local TO had been over, given recommendations for every other tree in the garden except the Chestnut and said that nobody is allowed to touch the Chestnut at all, and also be incredibly rude and patronising about the whole thing.

 

At no point at all has the TO tried to contact me about anything, he may have put a TPO on the tree but I have no way of knowing.

 

I guess I'm asking what my next step would be!

 

I also removed a large diseased (Ganoderma spp) Chestnut next to it a while ago. The TO was apparantly very angry that this tree had been taken down and he wouldn't have given his consent if he realised that this was the tree that permission has been granted for.

Funny thing is that I sent clear photographs (8 in total) showing which tree it was, where it was, the fungal fruit bodies and what was around it. Couldn't possibly have been more clear about which tree it was.

He signed the consent form to give permission to have it removed so I don't understand why he's upset?

 

 

Does anyone else feel that their local TO has a personal vendetta against them?

 

Cheers!

[Arborico]

The TO needs to serve a TPO on the tree subject of your current notice to prevent you taking the tree down. If he fails to do so within six weeks of your notice you may carry out the work as notified, you should have received an acknowledgement from your LPA to this effect. Your client will know when a TPO has been served on him! You can also check with the LPA.

 

Regarding the last chestnut, the TO should have done his job in the first instance, no point bleating about it now. However sounds like you may be dealing with the lesser spotted d*****d species of TO. He may decide to invite you in for a PACE interview. Make sure you have all records and correspondance in order. I wouldn't even attend just forward the documentary evidence with a factual covering letter. You know date notified, acknowledgement received on, no objections letter received on, tree felled on etc.

 

Sounds a bit like a TO I've had dealings with where are you based?

 

Dom

[Jesse]

Hi everyone,

 

So basically, around a month ago I applied to take down one fairly large Chestnut at the end of a customers garden as it had already lost several large branches and shades their garden and house completely.

It's in a conservation area so filled out the paperwork and sent it off. The tree didn't have a TPO so no problems there.

 

..Got a call from the customer today saying that the local TO had been over, given recommendations for every other tree in the garden except the Chestnut and said that nobody is allowed to touch the Chestnut at all, and also be incredibly rude and patronising about the whole thing.

 

At no point at all has the TO tried to contact me about anything, he may have put a TPO on the tree but I have no way of knowing.

 

I guess I'm asking what my next step would be!

 

I also removed a large diseased (Ganoderma spp) Chestnut next to it a while ago. The TO was apparantly very angry that this tree had been taken down and he wouldn't have given his consent if he realised that this was the tree that permission has been granted for.

Funny thing is that I sent clear photographs (8 in total) showing which tree it was, where it was, the fungal fruit bodies and what was around it. Couldn't possibly have been more clear about which tree it was.

He signed the consent form to give permission to have it removed so I don't understand why he's upset?

 

 

Does anyone else feel that their local TO has a personal vendetta against them?

 

Cheers!

 

No, just ring him up and talk to him, talk being the main word, he's just the same as you and me.

[10 Bears]

Personally Id go down the tea and biscuits route. Invite them round and have a nice chat. Bourbons work well.

 

Its all too easy for people to forget that stuff happens in everyone's life and that some days are better then others for a variety of reasons.

 

He may have made a mistake in the past, and he might be mistaken now, but there is no point in making a problem out of it as if he's the TO in your area, you will cross paths again.

 

Better to have him onside then not.

[RobRainford]

I regularly email my TO and even got invited in to have a chat in his office to discuss the system they use and the processes involved. He trusts my judgement and my decisions and I trust his.

[detritus21]

If you really believe it needs to come down as it is dangerous and the application is turned down by means of a TPO apply to take it down through the TPO route. If this is then turned down then look at the planning appeals route.

 

If needs be do a hazard id sheet/survey to send in with the application. Even do an inspection climb and take photos. WE took down a lime recently which had previously been refused by the secretary of state as the reasons given for felling weren't justified. We did an arial inspection took photos and put in an application. Its time that could be spent elsewhere but in the end we got permission as our justification was valid. We have recently done the same in another area. Large chestnut which had shed limbs council said no to previous applications. Climbed it and we found major structural issues related to bacterial canker this tree is now chipped and logged. Even in conservation areas spending that bit of extra time on a notification is worthwhile