pruning tree in a conservation area

[egs]

Recently did some tree pruning to some trees which were in crouching on the public foot path in the city. I spoke to council. Who stated it wasn't tpo area but did have conservation. I said this job needed done immediately. As it was obstructing access. A verbal. Agree was reach that I could do the work. I even spoke to the highways team to close the footpath off while the work was undertaken

 

 

however a month down the line a planning enforcement office sends me a letter about the work saying they were not notify about the works and are liable to prosecute

 

Anybody had similar Experience. Never had this happen before

[Alinicoll]

Do you know the name of the person you spoke to? Don`t suppose you had a letter from highways telling you or the owner to get the work done?

[egs]

No letter. Got the number of the highways bloke. He was happy For me to close the path off.

[egs]

Verbal approval. As it was going to take 8 weeks. But they stated because it was on public footpath it undertake. Works before hand. Just about worried when they use the term prosecute

[Alinicoll]

Sometimes highways ask for work to be done which `trumps` conservation area.

 

I don`t know where you stand with a verbal agreement however if you can contact the person who verbally agreed they be able to help clear it up.

 

Different areas have slightly different systems but where I am the arb officer gives the nod but the planning officers name is on the letter and deals with complaints. There may just have been a communications gap.

[Alinicoll]

You probably just got a standard response letter.

[daltontrees]

The Act says you have to have served notice and got consent or have waited 6 weeks. The wording of the Act suggests the notice should be formal and should at least be dated. If I was you I'd state everything you know, as many dates and names as you can remember, in writing to Planning. Then wait a coupel of days and phone up and see if it can all be dropped. You don't want it on your record even if it is wrong.

[egs]

This was the first time idealt with this council I wasn't aware of how they work. Presume the verbal agreement ment they wanted a quick turn around I have rep with my local council can I bring this up to show that I do everything by the book. My pruning cuts were where they had been previously cut

[egs]

Has anyone on this site received any fines for works in a conservation area

[Stephen Blair]

It's amazing how a couple of words can really cause anxiety.

I had similar when I first started, I got a verbal go ahead from the planning officer of where I was working was not a pto, I cracked on with the job.

A few weeks later, all hell broke loose, local paper calling my number, rspb getting their 2p in, land owners going nuts.

I called the same guy back up, he met me on site, there was a simple boundary issue that the guy hadn't thought of and all was good.

It did involve a week of me being worried sick and thinking my world was going to end.

Get all go a heads in writing from now on.

Call the main person in charge and arrange a meeting and sort it out face to face.