The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to Tree Preservation Order No. 5008/2021/TPO which was made to protect a group of 11 Lime trees and a single Lime tree growing on land at Becketts Croft, Malling Road, Teston.  It was noted that:

·  The Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was made in direct response to notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area.  The Local Planning Authority could respond to such notifications in two ways; either to raise no objection to the works proposed or to make a TPO to prevent the works.

·  A standard Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders assessment was carried out by the Officers and this indicated that the trees met the standard amenity criteria for protection.  It was considered by the Officers that the proposed works were inappropriate arboricultural management and that it was expedient to make a TPO to prevent the works from being carried out.

·  A total of 13 objections to the making of the TPO were received, including a detailed report by an Arboricultural Consultant on behalf of the owners of the trees, an objection from Teston Parish Council and 11 objections from local residents.

·  The trees merited protection on amenity grounds, but the owners intended to approach future works in such a way that the threat of inappropriate management was significantly reduced and had expressed a clear wish for the trees to not be subject to a TPO.  The Council would continue to have control over future works proposals due to the location of the trees in a conservation area.  If future works proposals were again considered to be inappropriate management, the Council could respond by making a new TPO.  On balance, it was not considered expedient to confirm the TPO and it was therefore recommended that it be allowed to lapse.

RESOLVED:  That Tree Preservation Order No. 5008/2021/TPO be allowed to lapse on 19 November 2021.

Voting:  11 – For  1 – Against  0 – Abstentions