More on the TPO

Well, that was summer, we suppose.  We hope you enjoyed what little there was of it!

Anyway, it's back to the grindstone with another update on the TPO situation.  We returned from holiday to find a missive from SBC advising us that they had resolved the ownership issues regarding the trees on the northern boundary of the G&D site and had been in touch with the owners who had confirmed their support for the TPO.

There is to be another meeting of the Public Appeals Committee at which the decision to confirm the TPO or not will be made.  The meeting will be held in the Sheridan Room, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford on Wednesday, 14th September at 2pm.  Further written representations may be submitted to Mrs D. Hill at dhill@staffordbc.gov.uk. 

Once again, let's summarise the situation as it now stands.

• The owners have said that they don't want to demolish the trees.
• They have applied to have the TPO lifted because they say it isn't necessary as the trees are protected by the planning permission currently in place. Quite what difficulties this causes them that they should put in so much effort to have it removed, they haven't said.
• The site is up for sale and the agents have stated that SBC may be prepared to extend the planning permission to nine properties.
• We have heard "on the grapevine" that the presence of the TPO is making the sale unattractive to prospective buyers.
• If the planning permission is changed then, we assume, the trees might not be protected if there is no TPO in place
• Whatever the case, the only way to guarantee that the trees are fully protected is to ensure that the TPO remains.
• The Borough Tree Officer has argued in favour of retaining the TPO.

That's the position as we see it.  If you have a different take on it, do drop us a line.   We shall be writing again to SBC to make sure they are fully aware of the situation.  Don't forget the email address for correspondence:  dhill@staffordbc.gov.uk.