Lower branches proposed for two trees beside Matford Road

ImpactAutomated estimate

Summary

The applicant proposes to remove six low oak branches and three low pittosporum branches. The crowns would be raised to clear the pavement, road and driveway. One oak branch would also be cut back from a phone line.

The trees stand beside Matford Road in the historic part of St Leonards. Magdalen Court School is directly adjacent, and Victoria Park Road bus stops are nearby. Five property fronts to the east and south-west have a clear view of the site.

The work could change the trees' shape, but no whole tree removal is proposed. The applicant states that the pruning would reduce overhang and help larger vehicles use the driveway.

What the council wrote

There is a very tall evergreen Oak growing with an equally tall pittosporum on our boundary by the driveway entrance. Historically there has been no management of the oak and I now sits across Matford Road. If is caught by high vans. We had a skip delivered recently (a small one on a small skip lorry). Delivery was fine, but the collection lorry snared itself and tore off one of the lower branches. My carpenter had to saw the branch off where it had snapped. We would like to use Neil Bygrave to bring it into a better shape and away from the traffic height. His quotation states these works:-To lift the crowns of one Drive Mouth Ilex Oak and Pittosporum by 3m to reduce Pavement, Road overhang andallowing lorry access to Property Parking. This would be achieved by the removal of 6 lowest Ilex branches and3 lowest Pittosporum branches. Prune Ilex branch ends to allow 1m gap with Phone Line.All debris from work done disposed of off site. We agreed parking on Drive for Truck and connected Chipper.

What you can do

You can comment to Exeter City Council using reference 26/0384/CAT. Explain any facts about tree health, road clearance, safety, or the look of St Leonards. The council cannot consider effects on property prices.