I would like to remove the silver birch tree which is located to the front of The Old Stables, numbered one on the sketch. I believe the tree was planted when the property was converted from stables to a residential dwelling in the 1980's. It has grown to a significant size which is rather overbearing in the space but of more concern is that roots from the tree have grown through drainage pipes (2 on the sketch) removing rain water from the roof and guttering and from the front of the house to a soak away (should be approximately at 3 on the sketch, but we are having to dig up the garden and driveway to find it) which means that this process is no longer working and that water cannot reach the soak away. New pipes need to be laid and it will be impossible to do so without further damage to the tree roots weakening the tree which would damage property if it were to fall. We have already planted seven pleached hornbeams in the garden to ensure that trees are still part of this area but can be kept at a more reasonable size.

The Old Stables, Manor Farm Lane, East Hagbourne, OX11 9ND