Horse Chestnut T7 - Raise canopy to approx. 4 metres; reduce & reshape by approx. 3-3.5 metres; Sycamore T3 - Reduce & reshape by approx. 2.5 metres (at approx. point of last reduction); Reasons: To maintain within reasonable dimensions; Reduce shade & debris being cast onto apartments & cars.

1. T7 Horse Chestnut (T15 TPO no.79) - Refusal to grant permission to crown reduce and raise the canopy to the dimensions as stated in the application. Tree and site context The tree is a mature Horse Chestnut. It is 18.5 metres in height with a 86cm stem diameter. It is located on communal grassed open space to the north east of 22 and 28 Beech Court. The main stem is 8.5 metres away from the properties. The south west radial spread is 6.5 metres (property side), north west 6 metres, north east 2.5 metres (it appears a tree located adjacently to here may have been removed) and south east 5.5 metres. The main stem bifurcates at 2 metres to form 2 co-dominant leaders. The tree appears to be in overall good physiological and structural condtion. There is a good union at the point of bifurcation and overall no obvious major defects were observed. Some isolated minor/moderate dead branches were observed within the crown some of which is the result of squirrel damage. The crown is clear of the property line with approximately 1.5 to 2 metres clearance. The crown is relatively low of the grassed area. The tree is an established component of the surrounding landscape and contributes positively to the overall visual amenity of the area. The impact of the proposed work and the reasons stated to support the application to crown reduce and crown raise the tree The application states that there are no concerns with regard the condition of the tree but the proposed works to; Raise the canopy to approx. 4 metres and reduce and re-shape by approx 3-3.5 metres is to maintain reasonable dimensions and reduce shade and debris being cast onto appartments and cars. Given the current dimensions, age and condition of the tree the proposed works represents a significant removal of foliage bearing branches which would be to the detriment of the overall form and health of the tree going forward. Given the proposed extent of works, the relativey large pruning wounds which would arise could become seats of future decay whilst also creating areas of dense re-generative growth which would detract from the overall natural form of the tree. This would potentially put the long term viability of the tree into question. Whilst the canopy is low over the grassed area there is reasonable canopy clearance from the outer tree canopy to the property footprint (approx. 1.5-2 metres). There are no cars parked in close proximity to the tree and any debris (fruit/flowers/leaf) that the tree drops must be regarded as a natural function that pruning will not prevent. The garden is north east facing meaning the garden will naturally receive less light. Conclusion On the basis of the evidence put forward and following an inspection of the subject Chestnut tree it is concluded that there is insufficient evidence to justify its pruning to the dimensions as stated in the application. Proposed works would be detrimental to the health and form of the tree. Therefore, the application to reduce/raise the tree is refused. There is scope to remove those isolated area's of minor/moderate dead branches and also raise the canopy to give 2.5 metres clearance from ground level (instead of 4 metres) pruning secondary branches to appropriate growth points to facilitate access around the base of the tree. T3 - Variegated Sycamore - Semi-mature tree. This tree is not contained within Tree Preservation Order no.79 therefore permission is not required from the Council to prune the tree.

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