Plans to to fell 19 Penarth Trees at Headlands school St Augustines Road

The Arboricultural Report now on the application lists at least 19 trees to be felled and many more pollarded and severely reduced in size. This is more an entire woodland area to be decimated. This will have a major impact on the landscape of Penarth locally and from afar, a not so leafy Penarth. There are no plans to bring this to the planning committee at present. We hope a Cllr will call this in.  Still time to comment.     
An application to fell - those trees with TPOs - Horse chestnut, 3x Sycamores, Holm Oak- 2 Cherry, Sycamore-fell, located at Main Building, Headlands School, St Augustine's Road, Penarth from Mitie Landscapes Ltd, 2,Colwick Quays, Colwick Quay Bus Park, Colwick. The decision has been delegated to officers and is due on 17^th August 2016

The documents are now online - after a request from me to Mrs. M. R. Krzemieniewski (assistant planner for trees) with the asked for  work to trees application form for trees with TPOs - Trees protected by TPO should be numbered according to the First Schedule of the Tree Preservation Order. For example - T3 oak; two beech and one birch in G2. You must identify the trees on a sketch plan showing the location in relation to building(s), named roads and boundaries

Mrs. M. R. Krzemieniewski is the officer dealing with this now returned from holiday.  she says in her email to me 'I did an urgent site visit to inspect the trees.' seems she is depending on a report saying these trees are suddenly all rotten. She says it isn't going to planning cmte as she has made the decision! (delegated to officers) Her number is 01446 704742. 
A neighbour says ....and we absolutely agree ...'I am also concerned about access to the planned new houses.' Do you know anything about this? 

Map of trees with TPOs to be felled
larger map below 

I object to the felling of TPO trees on headlands site, because of the loss of habitat to owls and other birds. This site has already had numerous trees felled and ironically, one of these at the front of the buildings has been carved into an owl. I am also concerned about access to the planned new houses. I suffer enough noise and disruption from the staff and taxis bringing the children to school and also from football players using the astro turf pitch during the evenings.

Response from officer who proposes to permit the chopping of all these  trees and those with tree protection orders 

Margaret Krzemieniewski received 13 July Assistant Planner Tree Preservation

Thank you for your email dated 28^th June, 2016. 

 I am aware of concerns of Penarth residents regarding tree felling in the area.  In this respect, (before taking annual leave last week from 29^th June), I did an urgent site visit to inspect the trees.  The application is supported by a tree inspection report prepared by a professional arboriculturist and is available on the Vale of Glamorgan’s website to view.  It details the findings pertaining to each of the trees listed (under URGENT tree works).   The report is part of the maintenance of mature trees that responsible tree owners have a duty to carry out assessing their health and condition.  Again, in this respect, the URGENT tree work concerns trees that have been found to have levels of decay that makes their retention risky at best.  Many were observed to have large cavities half way up the trunk which can lead to trees failing in high winds – and this is an elevated/windy location.   With such decay present there is little option to reduce the crown.  Reduction to a safe level would ultimately disfigure the trees and place further stresses on their ability to recover and may even lead to their death.

I am satisfied that the findings of the report are fair and as replacement trees of a good size would be required, if the work is allowed, these will mitigate any losses.  Replacement trees can be legally enforced by the department.  Moreover the tree work proposed is needed  to ensure the safety of people/children at the site. 

As requested I attach a copy of the relevant tree preservation order.   I hope this reply helps clarify the authority’s position with this application and I thank you for your interest.

Kind Regards

Margaret Krzemieniewski

Assistant Planner Tree Preservation / Cynllunydd Cynorthwyol Cadwraeth Coed

Regeneration and Planning

Vale of Glamorgan Council / Cyngor Bro Morgannwg

Planning Application Details for : 2016/00773/TPO

Comment on this planning application

Name	Created
Acknowledgements	23/06/2016
Application Form	23/06/2016
Site Plan	23/06/2016
Aerial Site Plan	23/06/2016
Tree Image	23/06/2016
Arboricultural Report	23/06/2016
1, Paget Place, Penarth,CF64 1DP	29/06/2016

The only map from Penarth town council could provide