Cornwall Council Forestry Consultee Comment on Application PA12/06664
submitted on 23 Aug 2012 from forestry@cornwall.gov.uk.
Comments Details
Dear StephenThe existing western boundary with Barbican Road is formed by an established dense hedgerow with a rich mixture of species. It is important in terms of the local landscape character. If measured against the Hedgerow Regulation 1997 it is likely to be valuable in terms of criteria 5 (it is shown on the 1875- 1901 map) and criteria 8 (adjacent to a highway). I am not able to support the loss of this important feature.
The proposed scheme indicates significant new planting adjacent to the road, to the south of the new access but not to the north of it. The landscaping scheme is not in my view appropriate. There should be less reliance upon heavy standard trees (which frequently struggle in new schemes) and the mix of plants used in the structural planting should replicate the locally native species (which they don’t at present).
The proposed new roadside boundaries of the residential properties should in my view be formed by a Cornish Hedge topped with a locally native hedgerow of hazel, hawthorn, holly and blackthorn. A basal width of approximately 1.5 metres and similar height should be accommodated and the units should be set a minimum of 5 metres from the hedgerow in order to accommodate its growth without inconvenience.
New hedgerows should accommodate the re-use of materials, particularly soil from the demolished roadside hedge. See the website of the Guild of Cornish Hedgers for useful information. I am inclined to think that distant views from the north and east are likely to perceive significant change as a result of the built form spilling over the high ground.
Little has been proposed to mitigate the new residential properties and there appears to be little space to accommodate significant new planting. To my mind a belt of native trees and shrubs adjacent to the sites northern boundary, could, over 10-20 years have served to provide modest mitigation. A new Cornish Hedge is proposed, which presumably could be planted, however this is too vulnerable to be relied upon to screen the new dwellings.
There are a number of trees located along the northern boundary. They are not particularly important in terms of the existing landscape, however they have significant potential as part of an appropriate landscaping scheme to mitigate the impact upon distant views from the north. Unfortunately they have been given insufficient space to be adequately protected during the course of development. Also the layout does not accommodate these trees in a fashion that one could expect the nearby occupants to tolerate their presence. Let me know if I can assist further.
Regards
Simon Proctor Dip.Arb.(RFS), M.Arbor.A
