It appears that Berkeley Homes are not content with the level of tree clearing they have already carried out for the access road to their site in Cranleigh, as they have now applied for the removal of a Tree Preservation Order, which protects the remaining ancient woodland. We say it’s a shame they got permission to remove so many trees, and how dare they put the remaining beautiful trees at risk!
The TPO was specifically put in place by Waverley Borough Council to prevent further removal of trees, so what possible reason could there be to remove it? Apparently it would be “a potential significant further barrier to delivery of the development”. Does that sound like they want to chop those trees down too? According to BH the TPO is unnecessary as there are already “measures in place” to protect the remaining trees.
Berkeley Homes say they are “committed to delivery of the Cranleigh development….to the benefit of the stakeholders!” Well, we knew it wasn’t the existing residents of Cranleigh.
Interestingly the penultimate paragraph in their letter threatens bad working relationship with WBC, delays in building, and additional costs for WBC and Berkeley Homes! Didn’t they notice the trees were there before? Ancient woodland doesn’t just appear overnight!
See item 8 OBJECTION TO TREE PRESERVATION ORDER (NO. 01/2017) – TREES ON LAND BETWEEN ALFOLD ROAD AND KNOWLE LANE, CRANLEIGH, via this link: https://modgov.waverley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=148&MId=1874&Ver=4
You can read the full details including the letter from Berkeley Homes and the response from Waverley Borough Council here:
Berkeley Homes are a pretty ruthless bunch and need to be kept to the letter of the Development approval. Waverley have done us no favours for years and on that basis must be harried at every opportunity.
I will write and hope that as many Society members and their friends will do so too.
Looking on the bright side, the council’s officers do recommend that the TPO be upheld, do they not?