Five protected trees at La Pointe field could be replaced by 40
FIVE protected trees could be removed at a Vale field, which will soon become residential.
But 40 new trees could be planted as replacements.
Permission has been granted to build two houses in the middle of the La Pointe site near Alliance, with access onto La Mares Pellees road. The site has faced challenges to get permission, with original plans for eight and six houses rejected and then trees around the site being protected. A two-house plan was only approved on appeal.
Hillstone has been putting forward the applications until now, but in the latest application Simon Holland from Hillstone said the housing sites were in the process of being sold, so his firm was only acting as agent for the current application. The tree management plan has been prepared by arboriculturist Richard Loyd.
‘It has been firmly established that the trees that border the site are the important and most significant factor that this site contributes to the amenity of the locality and for this reason we believe its vital that we take this opportunity, while we have a willing site owner to push forward and do what ever is required to enhance the boundary planting to the site,’ Mr Holland wrote.
‘We think our application, as supported by the SOG arboriculture officer, will achieve this goal.’
It is proposed that four sycamore trees and an ash be removed as they are in a poor condition.
‘While the exact number of replacement trees is unknown until the poor-quality trees are removed, if the proposed works are accepted by the Planning Department it is anticipated approximately 40 new trees could be planted,’ Mr Loyd wrote in the application.
‘With given growth rates and habits of individual species will require very little ongoing management to retain good form and have no effect to the adjoining thoroughfare.’
It is proposed that five sweet chestnut, five limes, 10 birches and 10 alders be planted, as well as some beeches and hollies. At the field the grass has been recently cut and fencing been put up on the inner perimeter of the trees.
n The plan can be viewed at www.gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.
