Planning Application Details

The mature Horse Chestnut tree growing adjacent to the southern elevation of the building is protected by a tree preservation order and forms a significant feature of the landscape. Due to the sheer size and proximity of the tree to what would be a dwelling, future occupants would be likely to find such a large tree at such close proximity to the building a cause for anxiety, especially in periods of poor weather when the canopy is swaying directly over the roof of the building. It would also shade the building and cause seasonal nuisances such as extensive leaf litter, conkers and debris filling gutters and covering paths, all causing the need for excessive property maintenance. The extent of tree pruning required to prevent the aforementioned matters would result in the removal of nearly all the tree's canopy, causing its destruction. The foreseeable result of allowing the proposed change of use to a residential dwelling would be the premature deterioration and loss of a very high quality veteran protected tree. The tree would otherwise have many years of future life expectancy, providing all the benefits of long lived large canopy trees within the built environment. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Policy CSEN1 of the Core Strategy and Policy C9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, government guidance contained within Section 118 of the National Planning Policy Framework which specifically refers to the impact on veteran and aged trees, BS5837, 2012 and advice set out in Section 3.4 of the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2008 and the supporting Trees and Development best practice guidance.