Agenda item

To receive any questions submitted under Rule of Procedure 13. Any items received will be circulated by 5pm on Monday 26 February 2024.

(Any questions must be submitted in writing to Democratic Services by, not later than, 10.00am on Monday 19 February 2024).

94.1          The following questions were received from Councillor Cody to the Lead Member for Built Environment, Councillor Mary Jordan.  The answers were given by the Lead Member for Built Environment and were taken as read without discussion.

1.    Question

                 Following my previous questions regarding dead trees and hedges at the Coombe Hill development, the hedge and tree planting season is nearly at an end.  Officers visited the site and contacted the developer to replant as per the stipulation that "this new hedge will enjoy protection for at least five years following completion of the development”.  When are the trees and hedges going to be replanted?

Answer

                 We are informed that replacement planting to address the Council’s concerns has been carried out by the developer. Planning Compliance Officers are due to inspect the site in the near future.

2.    Question

                 Given that a large proportion of the first hedges and trees are dead, will the newly planted ones also 'enjoy protection for at least five years' from time of planting?

                 Answer

                 No. The five year period is not restarted from the date of new planting. Wording from the landscaping condition states: “If any plants fail more than once they shall continue to be replaced on an annual basis until the end of the 5 year maintenance period.”

3.    Question

                 Who will take responsibility for ensuring their success?

                 Answer

                 It is the developer/landowner’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the planning conditions. We will investigate if a management company has been engaged to handle landscaping maintenance on behalf of the developer.

4.    Question

                 What is the process for verifying that trees and hedges planted on new estates with such stipulations are checked?

                 Answer

                 Developers are required to comply with planning conditions attached to their planning permissions. This includes maintenance of landscaping where such a condition is imposed. We do not have the resources to monitor the success of landscaping across all developments in the borough. We will, however, investigate breaches of planning conditions if we become aware of them and take appropriate action.

94.2          The Mayor invited a supplementary question and the Member asked the following questions in relation to each of the original questions:

1.    Please can I be told when the inspection has been carried out and its        outcome? 

2.    Do we find it acceptable that ancient hedgerows can be taken out on the basis that new ones are planted, despite the high possibility that many will die; although they have to be replanted within the first five years, after this date, is it irrelevant if they have failed?  Ought we not insist onsomething stronger, are we not ignoring the importance of the protection of nature?

3.    What happens if a management company hasn’t been engaged to handle        landscaping maintenance on behalf of the developers?

4.    Do we need a better process in order to track the health and maintenance of      trees and hedges planted on new estates in this fashion?

94.3          The Lead Member for Built Environment advised that a written response would be provided outside of the meeting.