Gary Prentice

Okay, you've peeked my interest. I'll get back and harvest a sample in the next few days. Apart from a few snowy days, we've not had more than a couple of mornings that have been sub-zero

Looking at the photo, the tree is more likely to be oak:blushing: I was turning around at the end of a cul-de-sac with a couple of cars behind me. Took the picture out of the car window as I was turning - that's my story and I'm sticking to it:biggrin:

In passing yesterday I saw some brackets, that due to colour and shape, I took to be Laetiporus. I did get a photo but the day was so dismal it isn't even worth posting. I know it's an annual FFB, but these looked quite recent/fresh, so I've got to wondering what actually triggers the fruiting? Length of daylight hours, average temperatures or what. As I think it's a highway tree, I've emailed the TO, so he'll probably come along and educate me that it's not what I thought it was and I'm just ignorant:confused1: Anyway I'm just puzzled because of the time of year to see anything that appears to be actively growing.

Very much my way of thinking, but much more eloquently written than I would have put. One addition, now that I'm a bit older, I never take a refusal personally and accept that it's a differing opinion- even when it's just wrong. I live a more stress free life, mostly, and think whatever I need to do next might, just might, make a small change that will be beneficial in the long run.

Thought I'd done a pretty decent job there?

So potentially it may be around for a few hundred years yet. What I good do.

:thumbup1:

It's hard to see from the photos, is it a maiden or could it be have coppiced way back? Interesting tree either way!

So you were a poacher, Stubby?

Amazes me that a working bloke can find the time to do that (I've done the same) while some complain they eat badly cos it's difficult! Must be hard to find the time between judge Judy and Jeremy Kyle

Sensible shopping, bulk buying veg and fruit in season along with bulk cooking/freezing meals can be pretty cheap- not much more than buying convenience foods. When I lived alone I budgeted a fiver a night, but that included for steak a few times a week and a few glasses of wine.

Sorry, I may be overly presumptive, but I did say unless the LA were being ridiculous! All good.

Or an objection might mean that no-one knows what to do and the order doesn't get confirmed at all - crack on after six months! No-one could tell me what the procedure actually was and I still don't know!

I think the expediency was the second tree on site! In the original S211 Notice the client stated an intention to fell a second tree. This was either on the boundary and possibly shared with the neighbour, or actually the neighbours tree entirely. Anyway, he decided he liked it and didn't want it gone after she'd submitted and then thought to discuss it with him! (I'll refrain from commenting) Maybe it was quicker for the council just to change the TPO reference number and the date and reuse the earlier order - I don't know! But, luckily on the second visit to serve the new order common sense prevailed:thumbup1:

Did you manage to get an answer?

EDIT. I need to type quicker. After the TPO is served, objections (and representations) may be made which the council must consider before confirming the order. The order must be confirmed within six months. Usually the objection has to be submitted within 28 days. If you don't bother objecting, submitting an application (TPO'd Tree)for the same works is probably pointless -the council served the TPO because they objected to the 211 notice and therefore are unlikely to consent another app for the same specification. Likewise, the PINs inspector is unlikely to take your side unless the LA are being ridiculous in their decisions. What are you wanting to do to the tree?

I wasn't on site, so the following is what I've been told. The enforcement Officer asked them to stop, my brother in law said that they wouldn't as there was no authority to prevent them carrying on and the officers left. All very calm with no-one getting excited. Around 1 PM, the Planning Officer arrived with a NEW TPO dated today. By this time the tree was a stick with a little bit of foliage bearing limbs/ascending branches at the very top. So legally, at that time, we were working on a protected tree. Credit to the PO, he said that he would post the order through the door (owners away) and then draw up an amended TPO excluding that tree. So he gave verbal consent to allow us to continue (I have emailed him to confirm this). I'm glad he acted reasonably, being perfectly, at that stage within his rights to stop us! We would have had to stop, the tree or stem being protected, and then waited until the order was amended (I don't believe that the temporary order can be amended before confirmation) some time in the future. It's all been a bit farcical. I know the enforcement officer, who is a nice lad but who really didn't understand the position and then attempted to explain why we were in contravention. More training is needed I think. I find it concerning that the Legal fellow, who is quite senior, is advising the TO that the CA was still protecting the tree and writing to the owner saying the same! I think that having written up a new order this morning, the authority must have revised their understanding. TBH I don't derive any satisfaction in this at all. I've an obligation to client but would have been happier if the LA had protected it properly in the first place. The tree could have been felled anytime since 9th December so at least no-one can accuse us of exploiting a short window of opportunity. The council made procedural errors based on lack of knowledge and failed in their duty. Hopefully the lessons will be learnt.

But stellar would be £25.00 a pint:sneaky2:

Sat in hospital having cancer treatment and still having to talk to the enforcement officer on the phone:sneaky2: Because the council offered a consent for a pruning spec while the tree was protected, they seem to think it's still protected! We have the letter on site stating the order wasn't being confirmed, a copy of section 211 of the T&CPA and copies of the original 211 notice. There asking where our letter of permission is ffs. Now being asked to halt work.

Sun-dried tomatoes not essential?

So are we having a New Year or Valentines Day Raffle? I spent a week, from New Yrs Eve in hospital due to an infection - IV antibiotics and anti-virals. You have my sympathy Steve.

Love that rottie video. I called my wife to the computer to watch it, her comment was that ours react similarly without training! Sorry to derail, but it's a breed I have great empathy with.

I wish it wasn't like this. I agree with the TO's decision that the tree merits retention, I would in his position. But, in working for the owner I have to work to achieve her objectives. It's a sorry state of affairs that it's come to this and to be honest, in this case, the blame lies firmly with the legal department. Hopefully a lesson is learnt to prevent repetition.

So padlock the gate to secure the site from the public?

Hi Jules, I thought you may have jumped in earlier. What's your opinion regarding my agent designation? Although I didn't submit the 211 notice, the LA did serve that TPO on me. I assume that recognises me as an 'interested person' and I should have been informed that the order wasn't going to be confirmed. I don't have much expectation of receiving another order. On another note, if the legal department are telling the TO that the CA is protecting the tree, it's going to be an interesting conversation in a few days. I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that meeting!