Council officers have defended their handling of a Ripon planning application involving the felling of 36 trees.
Residents living close to the Cathedral View park home development on North Road have complained to Harrogate Borough Council (HBC).
They believe that planning notices inviting comment on the proposed removal of the trees were not prominently displayed.
Mary Kelly, whose Magdalens Road home looks directly onto the development site, told the Stray Ferret:
“We and other neighbours believe that we were denied any viable opportunity to object.”
She pointed out:
“Planning notices were put in place – one on North Road and the other at the end of the Magdalens Close cul-de-sac.
“The Cathedral View site is bounded by Magdalens Road and Princess Road – both of which are busy thoroughfares.
“No notices were placed on either, despite the fact that people living on these roads are materially affected by the felling of mature woodland trees.”
One of the planning notices was placed on the Magdalens Close cul-de-sac. (Photograph courtesy of Wendy Marks)
The opportunity to comment on the proposed felling of the trees ended on 10 January and resident Wendy Marks, said:
“Because of the location of the notices, many people living near the site will have been unaware of what was planned.”
The removal of trees including Ash, Sycamore, Horse Chestnut and White Poplar, took place earlier this month.
Bethan Dailey, who also lives close to the site, said:
“As well as being appalled by the removal of 36 trees, I’m concerned that the felling took place at the start of the nesting season – contrary to advice provided by the RSPB.”
A spokesperson for the HBC planning department, said:
“Two site notices were erected, one at the entrance to the site on North Road and a further site notice on Magdalen’s Close.
“The position and number of site notices erected complies with national guidance on such matters.”
The spokesperson pointed out that applications to remove trees are assessed against development plan policy by a planning officer and HBC’s arborist.
All works have been carried out in accordance with the planning approvals.
The spokesperson added:
“The planning permission does not prohibit the removal of trees within the month of March. The tree contractors are responsible for complying with the legislation around breeding birds.”
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James Crickmore, of Ripon Mobile Home Park Ltd, which is developing the Cathedral View site, said:
“The Woodland area was purchased as a separate contract in 2020 from a private individual, who informed me that when he was a young lad this area was a paddock where his father kept a pony.
“In the 1990s up until the year 2000, this area had planning permission for two houses, so the the reason we bought the wood was for investment reasons.
“Subsequently we hired a tree expert to take a look at the wood regarding dead trees and diseased trees, applying to Harrogate council for permission to carry out the work.
“Permission was granted and the work carried out by a reputable company.”
With regard to the nesting season, Mr Crickmore, added:
“We have a local firm installing bird boxes and bat boxes.”
