Trees & Waverley’s planning enforcement rules……

The Council has received a number of requests for Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in the countryside adjoining Cranleigh, due to the current pressure for housing delivery that may potentially endanger old trees and their wildlife. The council says it is therefore taking an equitable approach to such requests. The Council are liaising with larger scale developers and land owners to work towards providing sustainably planned development.  

It is not in the developers’ best interests to undertake pre-emptive felling as this will not expedite planning permission. Those at Waverley do not believe this is a practice associated with potential development sites of the size referred to that have been put forward for consideration. n.b. equitable means fair in law.

Waverley’s website about planning enforcement says:-

“What does not constitute a breach in planning?? ………

The following examples do not breach planning control:

  • vehicles parked on the road or on grass verges (unless this is associated with the unauthorised use of a property) 
  • running a small business from home 
  • clearing land of undergrowth, bushes or trees (not covered by a Tree Preservation Order)….”

However the removal of a hedgerow can be an offence under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (unless formal notification etc) but according to Waverley clearance of undergrowth, bushes or trees will not be (unless covered by a TPO) !

The concern about protection of trees, hedgerows and wildlife is not ours alone. Many local residents are greatly concerned. Unless protections are put in place, it takes only minutes to fell a tree (or indeed the trunk of a dead tree which is providing habitats for many species of wildlife and roosting places for birds) or to disturb hedgerows, even if the developers say they are working towards ‘sustainably planned development’. Replacement of old and ancient large trees with small saplings means the wildlife has no where to go whilst the trees are growing.

It has already been pointed out what the terrible results at Little Meadow -down Alfold Road near The One Stop have been. Magnificent large trees were felled and hedgerows ripped out to simply be replaced with ugly and non wildlife friendly boarded fences!!! They maybe easy to maintain but we believe they should NOT be allowed. The previously cited the offence under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 is in place but

a. we gather that it is not an offence if appropriate notification is given – how do local residents know what is happening in this regard before it happens??? and 

b. how would we know if the developers merely say they are clearing undergrowth, bushes or trees (unless covered by a TPO)

When chain saws start it is too late for us to do anything about it!!!

We need to protect existing trees and hedgerows!!! – please help us to pursuade Waverley planners to reconsider its position re imposition of TPO’s on the numerous trees which should be protected now that the planning application has indeed been made – WA/2018/2074- Cranleigh School’s application opposite Notcutts

” Land Centred Coordinates 504755 139827 East Side, Guildford Road, Surrey- Erection of 40 dwellings (including 14 affordable dwellings) with new vehicular accesses and associated works”

YOU CAN add your thoughts on Waverley’s website http://planning360.waverley.gov.uk/planning/

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David Weaver
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David Weaver
5 years ago

Here in Cranleigh we are privileged to live in beautiful surrounds, These need protecting by every means at our disposal and the least Waverley can do is protect ALL of it from the depredations of careless or couldn’t care less developers. Well done Cran Soc for making us aware of this issue. I shall be writing to Waverley.

J Reed
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J Reed
5 years ago

The continued felling of large trees mainly substantial oaks along Guildford Rd for access to drainage ditches,in many cases unnecessary,have led to an increase in road noise and subsequent loss of habitat for wildlife.If further loss is to be incurred on or in the fields bordering Guilford Rd this can only lead to further destruction of our countryside which is surely why we have chosen to live in this lovely area.Developers must be held accountable for their desecration of our trees and woodlands.