Yet again Harlow Council are manipulating the planning process to bulldoze through approval for the removal of more than 22 established trees on this site in order to progress with their own application to build 14 houses. Along with removal of a further 20 hedgerow trees, including Laurels, Blackthorns and Hawthorns, this will represent an increase of 400 % on the figure presented to the Planning Committee in August last year.
The original Arboriculture report and its update were not supported by the planning sections consultant arborist because they contained insufficient information, and the proposals were not in accordance with several of the Local Development Plan Policies.
None the less the Committee, even after concerns were raised by many Councillors about the removal of just 9 trees, approved the application. Now they are using the back door to remove in excess of 40 trees without the need to go to committee or consult with residents. Disgraceful, scandalous, shameful, behaviour.