63 replies to this topic

[Local]

Two clear breaches: interference with a road sign and protected trees. Can we have some photos please, for evidence.

[pip77]

Two clear breaches: interference with a road sign and protected trees. Can we have some photos please, for evidence.

I have some photos taken today of the lopped off branches and the fence at the corner where the Fox Hill sign used to be. They haven't just covered it up - they have removed it altogether! I looked over and couldn't see it anywhere. Problem is, I don't know how to get the photos up on this site! I'm a bit of a technophobe...

[Norwood lad]

I have some photos taken today of the lopped off branches and the fence at the corner where the Fox Hill sign used to be. They haven't just covered it up - they have removed it altogether! I looked over and couldn't see it anywhere. Problem is, I don't know how to get the photos up on this site! I'm a bit of a technophobe...

Go to a site like

http://tinypic.com/

Upload your pic/file and then copy & paste across "IMG Code for Forums & Message Boards"

into your next post here.

[pip77]

I have some photos taken today of the lopped off branches and the fence at the corner where the Fox Hill sign used to be. They haven't just covered it up - they have removed it altogether! I looked over and couldn't see it anywhere. Problem is, I don't know how to get the photos up on this site! I'm a bit of a technophobe...

Thanks Norwood Lad! Here is the link to the photos.

Edited by gekko, 08 June 2010 - 02:16 PM.

[matt-h]

Think we need a mod edit there -- image is rather too big!

But yeah, this is crazy, looks like they fenced right around the road sign (or even removed it), how dumb is that?

[Dazza]

I think one of the reason its probably been done is to stop fly tipping which is a big problem for Croydon as someone had mention it used to to have a brick wall around it a few years back.

But calm down guys tree branches will grow back & a road sign I'm sure will be replaced in time.

Guys have you got bored with the 2nd hand car lot or something ?

Dazza

PS If branches are hanging onto the pavement area where people walk & someone walked into those branches & damaged thier eye Croydon Council would be liable.

[Local]

have you got bored with the 2nd hand car lot

Lack of repetitive posting doesn't necessarily indicate lack of interest!
Fresh news and ideas always welcome.

[Fang]

Lack of repetitive posting doesn't necessarily indicate lack of interest!
Fresh news and ideas always welcome.

Ignore him. He's going to remain a grumpy old git until he finds out whether the new owners of Palace are going to honour his season ticket.

[Dazza]

So true so true Fang !

But I'm right about low level branches in this instance guys its the local authorities duty to make sure that public footpaths are kept clear of obstructions or provide adequate guarding to prevent injury by walking into !

Dazza

[jamesl]

Dazza

I can see your point Dazza but this isn't a case of tut tutting over trivial matters but another example of further erosion of planning enforcement in a conservation area. As someone who has previously posted about falling standards of behaviour and respect for law I'm surprised you don't see the risk of sitting back and allowing enforcement and protection of the conservation area to slide.

Drip by drip, small infraction by small infraction the conservation area designation will become meaningless unless Croydon is pushed to enforce breaches.

The car lot is a typical example - it's been open for 4 months and it's been 10 weeks since the Council spokesman said that they had been told to put in a change of use application . 10 weeks later and a big fat zero has happened - there's no sign of the application on Croydon's planning portal.

And yes , overhanging branches should be cut back but the point is you need permission to do so to a protected tree in order that the Council can monitor who is doing the work and what is being done - allowing unqualified workmen to act as as hoc tree surgeons risks permanently damaging the trees.

[Moggles]

Well, for what it is worth - It was a perfect bit of green to play in whilst waiting for the 249, with a 2 year old! It was much less fun standing on the pavement today!

[Zirconium]

And yes , overhanging branches should be cut back but the point is you need permission to do so to a protected tree in order that the Council can monitor who is doing the work and what is being done - allowing unqualified workmen to act as as hoc tree surgeons risks permanently damaging the trees.

I don't think these trees are subject to a TPO (Tree Protection Order). They may be however within a conservation area. Having had to deal with trees within a conservation area I had to apply for permission to reduce their height. However I was told that "only trees above a certain height" needed permission. If the trees had branches which extended beyond the conservation area I was fully entitled to remove those branches without permission (but it is my understanding that this would not be the case for trees subject to TPO). It seems to me that that the lopping which has taken place here is trivial, the branches seemed to extend beyond the conservation area and to be low down anyway.

[jamesl]

The site map for to conservation area clearly show both the site and the pavement as witin the CA so the guidance I originally posted about needing permission stands. The work to the trees needed permission, TPO or no TPO and as Silver reminded us in her very first post it would not be the first time that work has been undertaken to protected trees on local "development" sites

http://www.croydon.g...vation_area.pdf

[Local]

All trees within a conservation area that are of a size to be eligible for a TPO automatically have that protected status; they don't need to be individually listed. I believe the size criterion is trunk circumference at a measurable height, not overall height of the tree.

Moreover, the loppings look more like butchery than surgery. Just the sort of thing the Croydon tree officers could have advised against if the trees did really need to be reduced.

[Dazza]

I still find it amazing that people get so fixated on small shrubs the fact that 4 of the largest & oldest trees in south london have been cut down in recent years without so much as a dickie bird.

1 in Hermitage Road & 3 In westow Park ( 1 near the entrance Harold Rd side & 2 in the park close to the cildren swing park)

Dazza