Policies

UPC Tree Policy

                                                                                                   Uffington Parish Council

                                Tree Management Policy

      

 

 

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
  3. PUBLIC REQUESTS FOR MAINTENANCE
  4. TREE WORKS WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN
  5. TREE WORKS MAY TAKE PLACE WHEN
  6. TREE WORKS WON’T TAKE PLACE WHEN
  7. CARRYING OUT TREE WORKS YOURSELF

 

  1. INTRODUCTION

This is a policy for the management of trees owned and maintained by Uffington Parish Council (UPC). It is intended to act as a point of reference for councillors and members of the public to ensure a clear, consistent and structured approach to the management of our trees. UPC has a responsibility to take reasonable steps to manage its trees to reduce the risk of death or injury to those on parish council land. Trees help to add a variety to our landscape and provide valuable habitats for many species, while providing us with cleaner air. UPC aims to preserve its trees for future generations to enjoy. The Council takes a common-sense approach to the management of its trees which takes into account their position within the landscape

Any queries on trees belonging to UPC should be made to the Clerk at uffingtonpc1@gmail.com

 

  1. TREE RISK ASSESSMENT

It is not possible to eliminate all risks from trees however there are often indications that a tree may be in decline. Inspection and maintenance plan is set every 3 years and essential maintenance is carried out or more frequently where an individual tree has been found to require closer attention. Non-urgent/desirable works will be prioritised on the professional judgment of the Councils officers and within budgetary constraints.

 

  1. PUBLIC REQUESTS FOR MAINTENANCE

UPC will also give consideration to any complaints or requests for maintenance from the public regarding trees on UPC-owned property, taking into account its tree management policy and/or advice from a qualified tree surgeon. If a UPC-owned tree is inspected and found to be in such a condition that it poses a high risk to people or property and is considered to be an emergency situation, instruction will be given to our tree contractor to make the tree safe as soon as practicably possible. If a tree is identified as requiring action, but the risk to the public is not immediate, then the tree will be made safe depending on the degree of risk identified at the time of inspection

 

  1. TREE WORKS WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN

 

(a) There are dead, dying or dangerous trees and branches that are found to be a danger to public safety

(b) Trees or branches are creating an unreasonable obstruction to a public highway, highways signage, public right of way or access to property. UPC will prune trees that obstruct traffic lights, highway signs or street lights where the tree is growing from UPC owned land. Where private trees are causing obstruction to any highway signs this needs reporting to Lincolnshire County Council

(c) A tree is causing an unacceptable trip hazard considered on the public highway, public right of way or access to property

(d) A tree which is proven beyond reasonable doubt to be the cause of serious structural damage to buildings as identified by an independent competent professional assessor

 

  1. TREE WORKS MAY TAKE PLACE WHEN

 

(e) Trees are deemed by UPC to be an inappropriate species for their situation

(f) To ensure that a streetlight can perform to its design specification without being unduly blocked by the presence of trees

(g) To maintain historic vistas or in the interest of preservation of heritage structures

(h) Trees giving rise to justifiable fears about risk of crime, or trees that have provided access and/or cover for criminal activity

(i) Trees and branches restricting grounds maintenance operations

(j) Trees which need formative pruning to shape or train them during the early years

(k) Trees restricting repairs and maintenance of property

(l) To protect or enhance biodiversity

 

  1. TREE WORKS WON’T TAKE PLACE WHEN

 

(m) We will not prune or fell a tree because it is considered to be ‘too big’ or ‘too tall’, or to cut back branches of a healthy tree overhanging private property

(n) We will not prune or fell a tree to remove or reduce any of the above categories: Leaves, Sticky sap, Blossom, Tree pollen, Bird droppings, Falling fruit/berries/nuts

(o) We will not prune or fell a tree to remove or reduce incidence of perceived pests such as bees, wasps, or other wildlife

(p) We will not prune, fell or cut the roots of a tree to prevent roots entering a drain or pipe that is already broken or damaged

(q) We will not prune, fell or remove roots from drains or repair root damage to structures where the tree has not been clearly demonstrated to be the principle cause

(r) We will not prune or fell a tree to improve natural light or the view from a property. There is no right in law to a view and UPC has no obligation to improve a view obstructed by a tree

(s) We will not prune or fell a tree to prevent interference with TV or satellite TV installation/reception or to prevent the shading of solar panels

(t) UPC has no authority to intervene in a dispute between neighbours where non UPC owned trees are causing a nuisance or damage to property

(u) UPC will not prune or fell a UPC owned tree to remove or reduce interference with telephone wires.

 

  1. CARRYING OUT TREE WORKS YOURSELF

A landowner has a right to prune overhanging branches back but no further than the boundary taking care not to harm the tree/s and subject to obtaining relevant permissions, e.g., under Conservation Area Regulations or Tree Preservation Order status. The neighbouring land owner must offer the arisings back to the tree owners. If they do not want them then he/she must dispose of them responsibly. He/she should not enter neighbouring land to do the work without permission

The following advice is given where there is a wish to exercise the right to Common Law with respect to encroaching trees:

• Remove only those parts of the tree from the point where they cross the boundary of the property

• There is no legal right to cut or remove any part of a tree that does not overhang the property

• It is strongly advised that a professional tree surgeon is consulted for guidance on how best to prune back encroaching trees, unless the works are trivial meaning that works could be carried out with hand secateurs or similar

• Before carrying out works to trees, it is strongly advised that checks are made as to whether the trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or if they are in a Conservation Area. If either of the above applies, consent is required by making an application / giving notice to the Planning Department at the Borough Council

• UPC reserves the right to recover costs in the event that a tree is damaged, and requires corrective action by UPC, as a result of works carried out on a UPC-owned tree by a member of the public