Tree appeal lost

A Planning Inspector has upheld a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council to refuse permission to fell a protected tree in Rosemarket.

The appeal by Stephen Warrender was dismissed by Inspector Alwyn B Nixon because the tree contributed significantly to local amenity.

Mr Warrender had applied to fell the mature ash tree – situated in  small residential estate – in November 2014. He said the tree was dangerous and needed to be removed for safety reasons.

His application was refused by Pembrokeshire County Council in July this year and Mr Warrender appealed.

In dismissing the appeal Inspector Nixon said the tree, which is protected by a tree preservation order, was a significant and prominent feature within the surrounding housing development that enhanced the quality of the street scene and softened the character of the surrounding built environment.

“The tree has been subject to work in the past to reduce its scale and manage any risk of damage to persons or property,” he said adding that an application for a 40% crown reduction and re-shape had been approved while the appeal was in progress.

“Although the appellant says the tree is dangerous and needs to be removed for safety reasons, no professional appraisal of the tree’s health and structural condition has been submitted which substantiates this contention,” he said.

“In consequence I consider that no overriding justification has been shown to remove the tree, sufficient to outweigh the harm to public amenity that would result. Lesser measures appear to be available to address any potential risks to property or people that have been identified.”

He concluded that – having considered the contribution which the tree made to public amenity, the reasons put forward for the works proposed and the harm to amenity which would result – sufficient justification for felling the tree did not exist.