Poplar tree bid is not popular
‘Absurd’claim over vehicle site plan
A consultant has been criticised for making an allegedly “absurd” claim that a client would look after woodland under its ownership better if it got planning permission for a proposed development at Grange.
The consultant made the statement in paperwork sent to the local authority in support of plant hire company Morris Leslie Ltd’s second “part retrospect” application to store commercial vehicles on a site said to be known locally as Gourdiehill.
Paul Hanson of Arboretum Internationale Ltd told Perth and Kinross Council in an arboricultural assessment it was his client’s intention to remove and replace a number of poplar trees surrounding the site over a period of “several years”.
He said: “With careful design the new trees introduced to the site will create a long-term net gain for the amenity tree population and wider wildlife habitat across the site as a whole.
“Developing the site will introduce a level of ownership and responsibility to manage the trees on site in good health and condition.”
But council enforcement officer Paul Kettles questioned that assertion in his own assessment of the scheme after colleagues found a “substantial” number of trees had already been felled at the site to make way for the proposed development.
He said: “The opening summary that suggests the development proposal will bring a level of ownership and responsibility to manage the trees is absurd.
“If ownership has not changed, why are they not presently managing the existing trees responsibly but awaiting the advent of development to introduce good management of the site?”
He added: “The proposed woodland species might offer increased biodiversity, however, given the applicants track record, the reality is that the successful establishment of the woodland is most unlikely without the use of formal enforcement action.”
An unnamed planning officer has since decided to deny Morris Leslie Ltd retrospective consent for the scheme.
They said in a report of handling: “Substantial tree felling and engineering works have been undertaken to form hardstanding and drainage infrastructure.
“From my site inspection felled trees and brash have been moved off the application site and are now within woodland to the west.
“Excavated soil has also been placed over the root plate of trees to the west of the application site.
“There are no measures contained within this application to deal with the excavated soil that is having an adverse impact on the poplar tree resource.”
The officer went on: “An open storage use is an example where new woodland creation should have been incorporated into the design of the application to screen the development.
“The removal of a landscape buffer between the [site] and housing at the Grange results in significant harm to the landscape character of the area by removing a landscape feature that previously screened the derelict site.
“Therefore, the proposal will erode local distinctiveness, diversity and quality of this Perth and Kinross landscape character area. It would detract from the character type’s visual integrity, identity and scenic quality, thus contrary to [council policy].”