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The taff, of which I am a member, was prompted by a motion that was debated at council over a year ago (October 2013) – read about the debate here – http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/tree_motion_deferred_to_set_up_task_and_finish_forum
I lodged the motion – which was directed at persuading central government to provide greater protection for trees – because I was (and still am) heartily sick of developers taking matters into their own hands and ruthlessly destroying beautiful mature trees so they can make a bigger profit.
I have had acrimonious battles with developers who do this – and then take exception to me writing about their behaviour on my blog.
I love trees and woodlands and do all I can to try and protect trees during the planning process. It is not easy to do so though, if trees are not under a preservation order.
The Woodland Trust asked me to be its Devon tree champion after I liaised with them over tree protection.
Back at full council in October 2013, my tree motion was deferred until a task and finish forum was set up to examine planning policy relating to trees.
Just over a year later (and repeated querying by me at overview and scrutiny committee meetings) the forum is ready for action.
I am hopeful that we can make some really effective recommendations to central government on improved tree protection.
The members are: Roger Giles, Tony Howard, me, David Key and John Humphreys.
The meeting starts at 9.30am on Friday 5 December and is in the council chamber at EDDC. See the agenda here – http://new.eastdevon.gov.uk/media/519325/tree-taff-agenda-combined-051214.pdf
Public speaking is at the start of the meeting.
Photograph Crantock, West Hill: Many of us were very angry at the felling of two 150 year old healthy oak trees by H&H Prestige Homes, last year.
