| Informative Notes: | | 1)
In light of the discussion of drive repairs in the letter from Primary Tree Surgeons Ltd, the applicant is made aware that the roots of the tree are also protected against willful damage and that any repairs will need to safeguard the whole tree including its root system.In light of the discussion of drive repairs in the letter from Primary Tree Surgeons Ltd, the applicant is made aware that the roots of the tree are also protected against willful damage and that any repairs will need to safeguard the whole tree including its root system. |
2)
Your application will determine whether the proposed tree works are acceptable in planning terms. Please be aware that this will not automatically override your responsibilities under other legislation and in particular your attention is drawn to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. These Acts and Regulations protect ALL wild birds, their nests (whether in use or being built) and eggs and other wild animals including bats and their roosts in or adjacent to trees. In simple terms, you should make sure that there are no wild birds nesting in or bats roosting in or adjacent to the tree(s) that you are proposing to work on. It is a criminal offence to recklessly or intentionally destroy any bird, its nest or its eggs or any bat or its roost (even if the roost is not occupied at the time).
With particular reference to bats, it is the tree owner's responsibility, along with the tree work contractor who will undertake the work, to observe the law and make sure that no offence is committed. If you consider that there is potential for the trees to be used by bats, we recommend that a bat survey of the tree(s) is undertaken by a consultant. If bats or bat roosts are found to be present, a licence from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may be required for the work to be undertaken legally. This licence simply permits works which affect bats or their roosts which are otherwise unlawful. Natural England can provide details of suitable consultants to undertake bat surveys on 02380286410.
IF BATS OR EVIDENCE OF BATS ARE FOUND AT ANYTIME, ALL WORKS MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY; CONTACT NATURAL ENGLAND ON 02380 286410 OR THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST HELPLINE ON 0845 1300 228 FOR FURTHER ADVICE.
The Bat Conservation Trust produce a helpful leaflet entitled 'Bats and Trees a Guide to the Management of Trees', copies of which can be obtained on 0845 1300 228 or email enquiries@bats.org.uk The Trust has also produced a good practice guide 'Woodland Management for Bats' that is available from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW, Tel 0870 1214180, email forestry@twoten.press.net The Arboricultural Association also publishes a useful resource 'Guidance Note 1 Trees and Bats' that gives good advice, particularly on how to mitigate the impact of any tree works on potential roosts for example, by using soft felling techniques. Copies can be obtained on 01794 368717 or through the Association's web site at www.trees.org.uk The following advice is also offered with specific reference to trees and bats:
Timing of Tree Works
To reduce the chance of disturbing a bat roost it is important to avoid the summer (breeding season) and winter (hibernation) months.
Works to trees with potential for bats is best done from late August to early October when young bats are mobile and on the wing, female bats are unlikely to be pregnant and the hibernation season has not yet begun.
March to April is also a suitable time, though consideration should also be given for nesting birds as these are also protected by law.
Crown pruning and minor tree works can also be completed over the winter months. The removal of potential roost sites during this time should be avoided, as some bat species hibernate in trees.
Best Practice Methods
Keep tree work to a minimum retaining all potential roosts where possible.
A precautionary inspection of the tree(s) by the tree work contractor looking for signs of bats should be carried out before starting work. This should include an inspection of all holes and niches using a torch and preferably an endoscope. If bats or signs of bats are found no work should start and Natural England should be contacted for further advice.
Where possible avoid cross cutting in proximity to cavities or hollows.
Limbs with internal fissures should be pruned carefully to maintain integrity of features as potential roost sites.
Any sections felled containing cavities should be lowered carefully and left on the ground (preferably for 24 hours) with the openings clear, allowing anything inside an opportunity to escape.
Split limbs that are under tension may need to be wedged open to prevent their closure when pressure is released, potentially trapping bats.
If ivy covers areas of a tree's trunk or branches there is roosting potential behind it, potential roosts in the tree may also be hidden behind it. Dealing with ivy covered trees depends on the amount of ivy. If there is a thick mass of ivy growth it may be practical to consider felling the tree on the basis that the thickness of the foliage will soften the fall and reduce the shock. This tree can then be inspected on the ground and if possible left for 24 hours, before section cutting. If the tree is only partially covered, pruning or sectioning may be more appropriate. If the works are not urgent, cutting the ivy at its base and completing the work when the ivy is dead, thus reducing the bat roosting potential, should be considered. However, where stems of ivy create a dense mass against the trunk, there will always be roosting potential.Your application will determine whether the proposed tree works are acceptable in planning terms. Please be aware that this will not automatically override your responsibilities under other legislation and in particular your attention is drawn to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. These Acts and Regulations protect ALL wild birds, their nests (whether in use or being built) and eggs and other wild animals including bats and their roosts in or adjacent to trees. In simple terms, you should make sure that there are no wild birds nesting in or bats roosting in or adjacent to the tree(s) that you are proposing to work on. It is a criminal offence to recklessly or intentionally destroy any bird, its nest or its eggs or any bat or its roost (even if the roost is not occupied at the time).
With particular reference to bats, it is the tree owner's responsibility, along with the tree work contractor who will undertake the work, to observe the law and make sure that no offence is committed. If you consider that there is potential for the trees to be used by bats, we recommend that a bat survey of the tree(s) is undertaken by a consultant. If bats or bat roosts are found to be present, a licence from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may be required for the work to be undertaken legally. This licence simply permits works which affect bats or their roosts which are otherwise unlawful. Natural England can provide details of suitable consultants to undertake bat surveys on 02380286410.
IF BATS OR EVIDENCE OF BATS ARE FOUND AT ANYTIME, ALL WORKS MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY; CONTACT NATURAL ENGLAND ON 02380 286410 OR THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST HELPLINE ON 0845 1300 228 FOR FURTHER ADVICE.
The Bat Conservation Trust produce a helpful leaflet entitled 'Bats and Trees a Guide to the Management of Trees', copies of which can be obtained on 0845 1300 228 or email enquiries@bats.org.uk The Trust has also produced a good practice guide 'Woodland Management for Bats' that is available from Forestry Commission Publications, PO Box 25, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7EW, Tel 0870 1214180, email forestry@twoten.press.net The Arboricultural Association also publishes a useful resource 'Guidance Note 1 Trees and Bats' that gives good advice, particularly on how to mitigate the impact of any tree works on potential roosts for example, by using soft felling techniques. Copies can be obtained on 01794 368717 or through the Association's web site at www.trees.org.uk The following advice is also offered with specific reference to trees and bats:
Timing of Tree Works
To reduce the chance of disturbing a bat roost it is important to avoid the summer (breeding season) and winter (hibernation) months.
Works to trees with potential for bats is best done from late August to early October when young bats are mobile and on the wing, female bats are unlikely to be pregnant and the hibernation season has not yet begun.
March to April is also a suitable time, though consideration should also be given for nesting birds as these are also protected by law.
Crown pruning and minor tree works can also be completed over the winter months. The removal of potential roost sites during this time should be avoided, as some bat species hibernate in trees.
Best Practice Methods
Keep tree work to a minimum retaining all potential roosts where possible.
A precautionary inspection of the tree(s) by the tree work contractor looking for signs of bats should be carried out before starting work. This should include an inspection of all holes and niches using a torch and preferably an endoscope. If bats or signs of bats are found no work should start and Natural England should be contacted for further advice.
Where possible avoid cross cutting in proximity to cavities or hollows.
Limbs with internal fissures should be pruned carefully to maintain integrity of features as potential roost sites.
Any sections felled containing cavities should be lowered carefully and left on the ground (preferably for 24 hours) with the openings clear, allowing anything inside an opportunity to escape.
Split limbs that are under tension may need to be wedged open to prevent their closure when pressure is released, potentially trapping bats.
If ivy covers areas of a tree's trunk or branches there is roosting potential behind it, potential roosts in the tree may also be hidden behind it. Dealing with ivy covered trees depends on the amount of ivy. If there is a thick mass of ivy growth it may be practical to consider felling the tree on the basis that the thickness of the foliage will soften the fall and reduce the shock. This tree can then be inspected on the ground and if possible left for 24 hours, before section cutting. If the tree is only partially covered, pruning or sectioning may be more appropriate. If the works are not urgent, cutting the ivy at its base and completing the work when the ivy is dead, thus reducing the bat roosting potential, should be considered. However, where stems of ivy create a dense mass against the trunk, there will always be roosting potential. |
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