Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held 29th March 2021

I’ve previously applied to reduce the Trees Highlighted in yellow on the map provided back from a bowling green on behalf of the bowling green. since, the person who owns the trees has approached me and asked me to undertake full reductions on all of the trees, they have this done every 4 years as the trees are large specimens in close proximity to property. I’ve advised a 20 percent canopy reduction so that proper pruning methods can be applied. The customer in question has also requested that I prune back the neighbours Oak specimen to the boundary which I’ve highlighted in purple on the map provided. The customer has also requested that I relieve some weight from the large lateral scaffold limbs of an Oak that bridge the road opposite the entrance to there driveway. I’d just reduce the limbs by 1M to suitable pruning points to alleviate some stress. ive highlighted this oak on the map provided in Blue. In the stand of trees over the road from the property there are some dead standing stems and a holly which apparently already has permission for a reduction in line with some previous branch failure that occurred a while back, I thought that id mention my intentions to make these safe whilst undertaking the other works.

Large Lawson Cypress rear of the property (growing by the Cedar tree) fell. Pine and large Cherry group located at the rear right hand corner: Pine reduce the large lateral limb over the summerhouse by 2.5m to reduce weight. Cherry reduce approx 4 large upper limbs by 2-2.5m. shorten the large low limb over the neighbours garden by 50% and prune other secondary limbs to shape as required.

·         The application presents a lack of parking as set out in Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan policy T4, noting parking along Victoria Street is already congested.

·         Not all the bedroom sizes set out in the proposal does not appear to meet the minimum size standards for habitable accommodation.

·         The proposed amenity space is unusable due to the proximity to the bin and cycle storage spaces set out in the application.

·         The scale and design do not comply with the Knutsford Design Guide and significantly harms the Listed Building.

·         The architectural design of the property has strong vertical reference features, and this application introduces horizontal reference features which conflict with the architectural significance of the Listed Building Status.

·         The extension would have a detrimental impact on the property and the Legh Road Conservation Area as it does not comply with Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan policies H2 and H3, noting the view from the rear of the properties is as significant to their character as the view from the street scene as set out by the Conservation Officer in a previously refused application.

·         The scale and design do not comply with the Knutsford Design Guide and significantly harms the Listed Building.

·         The architectural design of the property has strong vertical reference features, and this application introduces horizontal reference features which conflict with the architectural significance of the Listed Building Status.

·         The extension would have a detrimental impact on the property and the Legh Road Conservation Area as it does not comply with Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan policies H2 and H3, noting the view from the rear of the property is as significant as the view from the street scene as set out by the Conservation Officer in a previously refused application.

The council suggests that if in granting consent a condition be employed to ensure the construction methodology is approved to ensure the stability of the ground to protect the Listed Building.

The number and location of the trees can be found in the sketch plan (5 trees). 5 x Lime Trees – Crown reduction and thinning, reducing the height of the trees by up to 5-10 metres. This is allow for greater light into gardens, reduce black sap that falls into the garden which ruins furniture and makes surfaces slick. Reduce number of branches that can be blown down in high winds.

Works to Protected Trees:

Works to trees

Golden Cypress – Fell to ground level

·         The scale and design constitute overdevelopment and does not comply with the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan policies D1 and D2.

·         The proposal presents a property out of character with the surrounding properties.

·         The proposal would present an unneighbourly relationship with neighbouring properties through overshadowing and overlooking.