Bolton’s planning commitee heard that often ‘residents’ first notion of a planning application is when trees are being cut down one morning at 6am’
A tree protection order has been confirmed for the area north of Astley Bridge, Bolton
‘Precious’ woodland is to be protected after an objection which claimed an tree preservation order could ‘hinder development’.
Bolton’s planning committee heard the objection had been made to a tree protection order recently applied to the open woodland just off Belmont Road, at the junction of Templecombe Drive in the far north of the borough.
Councillors heard that last year a tree protection order (TPO) was made to protect woodland consisting mainly of Cherry, Lawson Cypress, Field Maple, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Willow, Norway Maple, Horse Chestnut, Hazel and Holly.
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In letters of support locals described the woods as ‘an important landmark’ and that it was home to various birds, bats, owls, deer and hedgehogs.
However, one objection was received by an architect on behalf of the landowner, meaning the matter was put before the committee.
Councillors heard that the TPO was a ‘precautionary measure’ to safeguard the trees. The measures to protect the trees were supported by 73 residents who wrote to the authority, with a single objection.
The open woodland is next to the A666, Belmont Road
An objector, Mr Ali addressed the meeting.
He said: “This is not an argument against trees or against appropriate protection. “It’s about ensuring that any protection is proportionate and evidence based and does not overly restrict the future use of the land.
“Many of the trees are young to semi-mature and largely self-seeded and are of mixed quality individually.
“They do not meet the threshold for protection. “The justification relies on their collective value.
“A blanket woodland TPO on an entire site including open areas and low quality growth is a blunt tool.
“The TPO in it’s current form pre-empts any future planning considerations.”
Long-standing Astley Bridge ward councillor John Walsh, who was chairing the meeting said that in 1987 when the application for homes near the site was approved, the woodland in question was highlighted as being of amenity value and so was not developed.
He added: “if you travel from the very south of the borough though Kearsley, up the A666 and up Belmont Road, this is the first woodland area adjacent to the highway, there are no others along the whole of that stretch.
“That’s one of the reason why it’s important that it’s preserved.
“The junction of Templecombe Drive was actually dog-legged to preserve the woodland in 1987. “Nothing has changed in that sense.”
Coun David Grant, said: “The objector’s comments say it would be ‘unhelpful for a future planning application’. “That outlines clearly what the intentions are.
“The residents were right in bringing this TPO request to us.
“Ordinarily, residents’ first notion of a planning application is when trees are being cut down one morning at 6am”
An objector described the tree safegaurding measures as ‘a blunt tool’
The meeting heard that if or when development proposals came forward for the land they would be considered ‘at that stage’ and the council didn’t believe the current TPO placed any restrictions on the landowner in terms of maintenance and other matters.
A Templecombe Drive resident, said: “I’m glad this has happened. The trees, the woodland are precious to this neighbourhood.
“I’d much rather look at them that new houses.”
The tree protection order on the land was confirmed by the committee.
