Proposal to reduce the crown of a large beech tree in the front garden by up to 3 meters, clear phone lines, and lift the crown for road clearance. This aims to improve health and safety, increase light in the house, and protect phone lines.

Full Proposal

The large beech tree (T1) in the front garden has not been managed in over a decade and has been allowed to get very large. Due to its size, the tree is creating several issues stated below. The proposal is to reduce the crown by up to 3m and clear phone lines, also crown lift to give required clearance over the road. This would including raising the crown to allow more light at street level, reducing the circumference of the tree, so it does not hang over the public highway as much and allows more light into the house and lowering the crown to keep the round, natural, attractive shape of the beech tree. There are many large trees in the park along Elms road, and reducing the crown on the Beech would not reduce the leafy charm of the street. The issues caused by not managing the size of the beech tree are as follows: - Health and safety: The beech tree covers a large amount of public highway, and due to its close proximity to the park gate, there are often cars parked directly under it and pedestrians and school children often walking under it. There have been several occasions after storms and high winds, where large branches have fallen from the tree onto the public highway. These branches have not hit anyone or landed on cars, but we would like to prevent any possible health and safety issues by reducing the distance these branches hang over the public highway. - Right to light: The branches have grown very close to the house (within 3m) and are causing loss of light in the four front rooms of the house. Front bedrooms are most affected by this, and have very little light and no view looking directly out of the window when the tree is in leaf. - House utilities: Three phone lines run through the tree (and 2 neighbors). We work from home and any damage to the phone line would have a serious impact. - Public safety at night: Overhanging branches block light. HAR/CA15.

Application Timeline

Application Registered

30/01/2025

Application Validated

30/01/2025

Target Decision Date

N/A

Committee Date

N/A

Decision Made

N/A

Decision Issued

13/03/2025