Address:       The White House, High Street, Eggington, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9PQ

Removal of hedge and construction of panel fence facing highway with replacement yew (Retrospective).

Applicant:     Mr Janes

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/18/01837/FULL, a retrospective application for removal of hedge and construction of panel fence facing highway and replacement Yew, at The White House, High Street, Eggington, Leighton Buzzard, LU 9PQ.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committees attention was drawn to additional consultation/publicity comments and additional comments as set out in the Late Sheet.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from an objector under the public participation scheme.

A Member asked for clarification from the objector regarding his concerns about ownership of land, the objector responded that the fence has been erected on the boundary of land owned by the White House, any planting therefore would be on land outside of the applicants ownership. It was acknowledged by the Chairman that the land is under Highways ownership and any suggested planting to soften the appearance of the fence would be under permission from the Highways department.

The objector then raised comments made by the Conservation Officer that there would be no objection providing there was adequate room for planting on land within the applicants control. The Chairman addressed that the applicant does not claim that they have the right to plant. The planting was a suggested condition from the Conservation Officer to soften the appearance of the fence, this was along side suggestions muting of the colour.

The Planning Officer responded to the objectors comments as follows:

·         It was noted the impact of the concrete posts and gravel boards can be muted during the muting process. Should the Yew trees be planted they would be hidden.

·         The Tree and Landscape Officer has deemed that there was sufficient space to grow a meaningful Yew Tree hedge.

The Highways Officer added the following comments:

·         With regards to loss of visibility for pedestrians, it was noted that the previous boundary hedge was over a meter in height and there was no information to suggest that an accident had ever occurred in the area.

·         It was noted that the applicant will have to apply to Highways for permission to carry out planting and it would have to be maintained to no more than 600mm in height.

A Member commented that a Yew hedge would grow more than 600mm in height, the Highways Officer responded that the appropriate height of the hedge would be an issue for subsequent negotiation. The Member felt that clarity on the size of the hedge was an important point due to the emphasis of the hedge in the conditions of the application. The Planning Officer responded that the hedge shown on the plans was 600mm.

A Member added that she thought that to contain a Yew tree at 60cm tall would not be practical. In support a Member added that within his ward there has been  a problem with hedges overgrowing on to the footpath, with regards to the hedge in question he noted there would be a risk of the sprawl of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35