Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which detailed proposals to confirm, without modification, Tree Preservation Order (No.8) 2021, tree on land at 4 Merriemont Drive, Barnt Green, Birmingham, B45 8QZ.      

The Senior Arboricultural Officer informed the Committee, that the  ward area  was Lickey Hills and not Barnt Green, as detailed on page 55 of the main agenda report,

The Senior Arboricultural Officer continued and provided a detailed presentation, and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the recommendation, as detailed on page 55 of the main agenda report. 

Officers further informed the Committee that the provisional order was raised on 1st April 2021, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.  The order was raised following an enquiry which requested advice on the status of the tree in view of  the potential to remove the cedar tree T1, as shown on page 66 of the main agenda report.  

Officers drew Members’ attention to the two objections received from Mr.& Mrs.  Moody, owners of of 4 Merriemont Drive, Barnt Green, Birmingham, B45 8QZ, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report and and Mr. & Mrs Colemeadow, 5 Merriemont Drive, as detailed at Appendix 3 to the report; and the officer’s comments in relation to the points raised, as detailed on pages 56 and 57 of the main agenda report.

Having been notified and with the agreement of the Chairman, officers read out the written statement received from Mr. & Mrs. Moody, 4 Merriemont Drive, Barnt Green, Birmingham, B45 8QZ, who had been unable to attend the meeting. 

Officers responded to questions from Members with regards to the objections received, which highlighted that the tree could not be seen from a public road, so offered no amenity value.

Officers explained that the road had not been adopted by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) Highways and was therefore not maintained by WCC Highways.  However, the road was not gated or signed as a private road and there was no restricted access to the public. 

The tree was not visible from Twatling Road which fed into Merriemont Drive, however, as highlighted above, the carriageway of Merriemont Drive was not gated or restricted and therefore could be accessed by the public.  The tree was highly prominent to the front of the property to users of the lower section of Merriemont Drive and therefore offered visual amenity value to any visitors to the site.

Members raised some concerns and noted the objections raised, in that the tree was sited on a private road  and was not visible from a public road, so had no public amenity value.  Although the road may not be gated or restricted and had no public footpath, Members commented that it would be mainly be used by those residents living in the area.  Members further commented that if the tree was removed there would not be a significant impact.  Members also noted the comments made by Mr. & Mrs. Moody in respect of the needles falling from the tree making it impossible to keep clear and neighbours complaining about the damage caused by the needles.

Therefore, Members were not in agreement with officers regards Tree Preservation Order (8) 2021.

RESOLVED that provisional Tree Preservation Order (8) 2021 tree on land at 4 Merriemont Drive, Barnt Green, Birmingham, B45 8QZ, not be confirmed.