WTTs

 

 

 

Works to trees are coded as WTT in the Midlothian Council planning system. At a recent community council meeting we were perturbed by the number of oustanding applications. 

 

I sent a letter on behalf of the community council, with reference to my own personal experience.

 

Here it is. Have been advised it will be dealt with by Mr Peter Arnsdorf.

 

 

Dear Mr Johnson

 

I wish to raise some questions regarding the policy and practice for applications for works to trees.

At the most recent meeting of Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council it was noted that "works to trees" applications (wtt's) are pending consideration as far back as January 2012. Today I have checked the planning application report for 5 Waverley Road Eskbank. The planning report states that the associated tree felling application for this site was granted on April 2nd yet the council web page shows the referenced wtt application as still "pending consideration". Related information is pasted from the councils' web site below.

From personal experience, delays in advising the status of wtt's to the public causes considerable local neighbourhood angst and false reporting which in my own case escalated out of all control. I'm sure you will remember.

The concerns of the community council however arise from communications last year regarding tree works in Newbattle woods and it is the responses provided for Newbattle woods coupled with these overdue status reports that has prompted our request.

The community council would appreciate a response from the council on the following;

1. Why is the council web site not up-to-date on the status of wtt's and what course of action is the council intending to take to rectify this situation?

2. Applications for tree felling may be assumed as acceptable to fell if the applicant does not receive notification within 6 weeks of the application. Is this course of action documented in a formal local/planning policy? and if so may we have a copy.

3. If a tree felling application is refused, the applicant may go ahead and fell anyway, unless the tree is the subject of a tree preservation order. Is this course of action documented in a formal local/planning policy? and if so may we have a copy.

Kind Regards

Susan Goldwyre

Eskbank and Newbattle Community Council