42 Tilt Road Cobham Surrey KT11 3EZ
Cobham The Tilt Conservation Area - I am seeking permission to remove four overgrown, and non-native (Thuja), trees within the Tilt Conservation Area. The reasons for removal are outlined below: Character Appraisal: The identified trees are non-native, showing signs of decay and have achieved a mature height that is not appropriate to their location and do not make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Tilt Conservation Area as outlined in the The Tilt Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Plan. Moreover, as an important boundary location, the trees have become overly dominant and have a detrimental impact on the cohesiveness of the local housing. Safety Concerns: The tree overgrowth has already caused significant damage to the public footpath on Elm Grove Road and restricts public access for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchair users (see Photograph Tree Line 2). This presents an ongoing trip hazard and a clear legal risk to the Council if a member of the public were to sustain injuries from tripping over a public footpath that has been damaged by tree roots (cf JMP vs Cardiff Council, 2018). Loss of Light: The heavy overgrowth of the trees (up to 6m in height and 4m in width) significantly reduces natural light to the front of the property. The trees will be replaced by native species including hedgerows and understory vegetation - that will be carefully managed - to restore habitats and promote biodiversity. This will also add to the soft landscaped character of the conservation area, in keeping with its semi-rural location. The size of the new vegetation will also be more appropriate for the local area and improve safety and accessibility on Elm Grove Road. Overall, this new habitat will preserve and enhance the character of the Tilt Conservation Area, in line with Elmbridge's planning policies, specifically Policy DM6 of the Elmbridge Development Management Plan 2015. The work will be carried out by a professional arboris