Notification of works to a tree in a conservation area

[daltontrees]

Totally agree, don't think it's gonna get any better any time soon! Especially noting job adverts that offer higher pay rates for climbers than TOs!!

 

 

 

Totally agree!

 

Uncharacteristically, looking at both sides of the problem.... It only takes a cursory glance through recent / current CA notices (those that are online) and TPO apps which are posted on LA websites to see that some fall woefully short of what might be considered 'adequate' to allow the process to proceed. Since either a homeowner or an agent can make the submissions, and some agents 'try harder' than others to present a submission that is likely to succeed, it would certainly seem to me that there are submissions that fall short.

 

Conversely, and noting staff cuts and training deficiencies (let's call it 'efficiency measures'), building relationships is a 2 way street. It's not just for the contractor / operator to build a relationship with the LA, but also for the LA to build trust and respect from the contractor / operator.

 

It seems to me that, across many domains of the public sector, the days of "the man from the Ministry" (I say man, because I'm referring back to a time when it probably was a man - equally likely to be a male or female nowadays) having an unassailable, invincible and overarching position of knowledge, experience, authority and respect are rapidly dwindling - not least of which because (as a result of 'authority' actions) the knowledge and experience are ever decreasing and, as a result of changing public attitudes towards authority, respect is dwindling.

 

Respect will be further diminished when 'authority' acts (or attempts to act) outwith its delegated parameters - in the OP's case, insisting upon a TPO form for a CA notice so as to minimise LA administrative effort by attempting to pass that administrative effort over to the homeowner or their agent.

 

There is a potential solution which could satisfy both parties in this scenario and that is to submit notices / applications via the planning portal - no quibbles over date of submission / validity / time to decide etc. There is even a system which allows you to register as a "smarter planning champion" details at the link:

 

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200205/professionals/115/smarter_planning/2

 

Not sure how effective that system is going to be though... I made the application submission 6 weeks ago, heard nothing back, phoned to follow it up yesterday and was promised a call back "from the one who deals with that...."

 

On a side note, one of my sites had a TRN issued recently. I highlighted the errors / omissions / inaccuracies within said document to LA and suggested written withdrawal might avoid PINS and application for costs.

 

Written withdrawal received yesterday. Doesn't really do much to establish, maintain or enhance respect for 'authority.'

 

Good balanced perspective there.