Removal of two trees at Maitland Lodge, Great Burstead, Billericay

“The application proposes the variation of condition 1 (approved drawings) and condition 10 (arboricultural matters) for the removal of two category C trees: T2 (Hawthorn) and T3 (Weeping Willow) from the northern site boundary. Category C trees are defined as trees that are of low quality, with an estimated remaining life expectancy of at least 10 years, or young trees with a stem diameter below 150 mm.”

“The proposed removal of the two Category C trees (T2 and T3) is accompanied by an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. This concludes that the trees are of low quality and structurally poor. Their removal is not considered to cause detriment to the visual and residential amenity of the surrounding neighbouring occupiers, or the character of the area itself. The Council’s Arboricultural Officer has raised no objection to their removal.”

“The application site is located to the west of Southend Road, Billericay. The application site can be seen outlined in red within the plan below. The site is accessed via Southend Road. Immediately to the north and south of the site are neighbouring two storey detached and semi-detached dwellings, with similarly large and spacious front and rear gardens.”

“Allowed on appeal 11.11.2022 23/01506/VAR Variation of Condition 2 (approved drawings - to allow substitution of house types, elevational changes, removal of car ports, provision of a substation and other minor changes), condition 12 (hard landscaping) and condition 13 (soft landscaping) attached to planning permission 21/01687/FULL allowed on Appeal (Ref: APP/V1505/W/22/3296116) for Demolition of Maitland Lodge and the construction of 47 new dwellings (Class C3) with…”

“Granted 14.11.2024 24/00436/DEMBAS Demolition of existing outbuildings, sheds and dwelling. Granted 17.05.2024 25/00003/S106C Deed of Variation to previously approved Application 21/01687/FULL allowed on appeal (Ref: APP/V1505/W/22/3296116) to remove the requirement to provide any on-site affordable dwellings and instead provide a financial contribution to the Council towards the provision of off-site affordable housing.”

“The trees are mainly visible to a small number of residential properties whose rear gardens back onto the northern boundary (where the trees are located) and are therefore not widely visible within the public realm. The trees are of generally poor form and quality and their removal is not considered to detrimentally impact visual amenity.”

“Whilst it is acknowledged that the existing trees do provide a degree of screening/shading between the existing dwellings on Mill Road and the proposed new dwellings at Maitland Lodge, given the position of the proposed windows on the dwellings, the existing/proposed rear garden depths and the distances/separation to this northern boundary, combined with existing and new planting, this will provide appropriate screening.”

“Consultee Response Summary Basildon Council’s Arboricultural Officer “I have read through the reasons for the variation to this application. This is for the removal of T2 Hawthorn and T3 Willow classed as category C trees with limited life expectancy. T2 is self-seeded and T3 has structural issues which could compromise its integrity.”

“The Village Council object to this application as it is against the felling of trees unless for illness or exceptional reason. It is a failure on the part of the developers that they have not property acknowledged the location of these trees when submitting their original plans.”

“- The removal of trees - Lack of justification for tree loss - Impact on wildlife - Loss of existing shading/screening - Loss of privacy…”

“In summary, the officer’s view was that the benefits of providing three additional trees to replace two category C trees (defined as trees of low quality which have a limited life expectancy or young trees with a stem diameter below 150 mm) outweighed the negative impact of the loss of those category C trees. The impact of the loss of the two trees on the character and appearance of the area and on neighbouring and future occupiers was judged to be negligible.”

“In response to questions about the extensive changes in the mix of trees proposed and whether the proposed mix included a higher number of lower quality/amenity value trees compared with the original proposed mix, it was clarified that all proposed tress were native planting and that the Council’s arboricultural officer was satisfied that the proposed mix, size and scale of trees was in line with what would be expected for the scheme.”

“That Planning Application No. 25/01423/VAR be granted conditional planning permission with any amendments that might be necessary up to the issue of the decision notice, and the completion of a Deed of Variation to the existing S106 Legal Agreement to secure the planning obligations and contributions previously agreed.”