It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Independent Group, the membership of the Committee had been amended for this meeting by including Councillor Ellery instead of Councillor Stockman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 10 September 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 10 September 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the submitted report setting out the Arboricultural officer’s response to the Notion of Motion, from the July Council meeting proposing that Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are made to protect trees on Network Rail land.

The Committee considered the submitted report on the Arboricultural Team’s response to the notion of motion which was presented at the Council meeting on 19 July 2018, which proposed that Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are made to protect trees on Network Rail land.

It was noted that legislation affecting TPOs allows tree removal and pruning works be carried out on Network Rail land where this is necessary in the interests of safety and that the making of TPOs to restrict the felling of trees immediately adjacent to the trackside would be unnecessary and could place the Council in a difficult position.  It was proposed that Officers continue to liaise with Network Rail to ensure the retention of trees wherever possible, as recommended by Government guidelines. 

The clearance of tree growth will ensure the track is unimpeded by vegetation for safety management.

Resolved:

(i)               That no Tree Preservation Orders are made in order to restrict the reasonable tree works that are being carried out to remove and prune trees next to the trackside; and

(ii)             that trees on Network Rail land do often have substantial public amenity value which could also provide ecological habitats.  Therefore representatives from the Natural Environment team liaise closely with Network Rail and their contractors to ensure that those trees that are providing these benefits and that can be retained are identified and kept for the future, wherever possible.