Tuesday 17 December 2019

SURGEON FAILS IN BID TO HAVE THREE 'HAZARDOUS' GRIMSBY TREES REMOVED

NELC trees officer Paul Chaplin inspected and photographed the threatened trees


THREE splendid  Grimsby trees have been spared an appointment with the chainsaw.

The protected lime, sycamore and cedar in the gardens of 25a Augusta Street were in peril after an application was lodged for their removal by a resident, a local orthopaedic surgeon, who said fallen leaves (or branches) posed a hazard to passers-by.

It is understood that, in autumn, there was an incident when a middle-aged woman slipped on leaves, fell and broke her shoulder in two places.

However, North East Lincolnshire Council has refused the application  because of the importance of the trees to the streetscape.

The matter  did not go before the planning committee but was determined, under delegated powers, by senior case officer Cheryl Jarvis who took advice from the council's trees officer, Paul Chaplin, who had  inspected and photographed the trees.

A report on the matter states: "With regards to the issue of fallen leaves given as a reason for removing the lime tree and the sycamore tree, the applicant makes reference to accidents and near injury as a result of the leaf fall, the camber of the pavement as well as uneven footpath. 

"The trees officer has contacted the street cleansing team in order to ascertain if there has been any specific complaints raised in regards to fallen leaves in relation to the section of footpath outside the property.

"The trees officer can confirm that the street cleansing team have not had any specific requests for this section of Augusta street over and above the usual seasonal requests in regards to fallen leaves throughout the whole network. 

"Given that the maintenance of the footpath is ultimately the responsibility of NELC and that no issues of highway safety have been brought to the attention of the tree officer by the street cleansing team, the tree officer considers that insufficient evidence has been presented to support the application to fell the lime and the sycamore.

"With regards to the proposal to remove the cedar tree to the rear of the property, the removal application is not supported by a report detailing the tree's condition.  

"The trees officer considers the proposal to remove the cedar as being premature and excessive when other options such as a canopy reduction have not been explored.  

"The trees officer is of the opinion that the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to support the reasons given for the removal of the lime, sycamore and cedar tree, and therefore the application should be refused."

See also:


                                                 Spared - the cedar in the property's back garden

Fallen autumn leaves  in Augusta Street



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