Agenda and minutes

To Appoint a Chairman to the meeting.

RESOLVED that Cllr David Keast be appointed as Chairman for the meeting.

To receive and record apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence

To approve the minutes of the Development Management Committee held on 16 March 2017 and to consider the revision of  2/2/17 Minute 92.1.B to read:

The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the value of neighbouring residential properties.

RESOLVED that:

a.    the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 March 2017 be approved as a correct record; and

b.    Minute 92.1b of the meeting held on 2 February 2017 be amended to read:

The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the value of neighbouring residential properties.

(additional text in italics)

There were no matters arising.

To receive the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 20/4/17

The minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on20 April 2017 were received

To receive and record declarations of interests from members present in respect of the various matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest

The Chairman to report the outcome of meetings attended or other information arising since the last meeting of the Committee.

The Chairman advised members of the committee that the latest E-learning course was available for completion and asked members to do so when possible. It was also advised that a training session on the course would be taking place on 11 May.

The Committee are invited to consider any matters they wish to recommend for site viewing or deferment.

There were no matters considered for Site Viewing or deferment.

To receive requests to make a deputation to Committee.

The following deputation requests were noted by the committee:

(1)  Mrs Sheila Whitaker – TPO 2065/2017 – 26 Bound Lane Hayling Island

(2)  Mr George Fulcher – TPO 2065/2017 – 26 Bound Lane Hayling Island

(3)  Cllr Leah Turner – TPO 2065/2017 – 26 Bound Lane Hayling Island

Subject: To consider representations received in response to the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in respect of 1No. Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur)

(The tree subject to the Order was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party)

The Committee considered objections to the Tree Preservation Order 2065/2017. The Council’s Arboriculturist presented the written report by the Head of Neighbourhood Support together with correspondence received.

The Committee was addressed by the following deputees:

(1)  Mrs Sheila Whitaker, who supported the confirmation of the Order for the following reasons:

a.    The tree has great historical value to the residents of Bound Lane.

b.    The tree acts as a speed control within the road, making it necessary for passing vehicles to slow down. Increased speed could cause danger to residents, the elderly and children.

c.    The tree has significant environmental and social value.

d.    The tree provides a habitat for over 100 different species of animals.

(2)  Mr George Fulcher, who supported confirming the Order for the following reasons:

a.    There was no certainty that the tree would remain without a TPO and could be at risk of damage or felling.

b.    Any works done to the tree, such as over pruning would significantly decrease its amenity value and potentially render the tree negligible due to a potential considerable loss of size.

c.    A TPO would mean any works undertaken could allow the tree to remain safe.

d.    It was to the best interest of residents and the community that a TPO be placed upon the tree.

(3)  Cllr Leah Turner, who also supported confirming the Order for the following reasons:

a.     There was significant concern that the lack of a TPO could place the tree in significant danger

b.    The tree provided great amenity value to residents and the community.

c.    The tree was healthy, was not damaged or diseased and posed no risk, and therefore should be retained as far as possible.

Following the deputations, the Chairman invited individuals that had contacted the Council during the TPO consultation period to join the meeting to present their cases; Mr A Johns who had objected to the order and Mrs R Webb and Mrs V Seddington who had supported the order.

(Mr A Johns, Mrs R Webb and Mrs V Seddington joined the meeting)

In response to questions raised by the Committee, the Council’s Arboriculturalist advised that:

·         The tree showed normal vigour for a specimen of its size with no significant visual damage.

·         The height of the tree was estimated to be between 7.5m and 7.7m

·         The tree surgeon report regarding the tree had been reviewed by the Council’s Arboriculturalist and peer reviewed by 2 other arborists. The professional opinion was that the reasons for felling this tree were unsound.

·         It was not possible to claim any tree could be deemed completely safe, however other than some necessary deadwooding work, the tree would be deemed perfectly acceptable from an arborists point of view.

·         It is possible to manage a tree of its size with a TPO in place. Any necessary deadwooding work could be carried without the need for an application to the Council. Pruning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

To consider the nomination of Chairman for the next meeting of the Development Management Committee in accordance with the rota.

RESOLVED that Cllr J Perry be nominated as Chairman for the next meeting of the Development Management Committee.