Parish Council registers its concerns over hedge removal
Communication to :
Jack Hegarty – Joint Chief Executive / Managing Director Wychavon District Council
Holly Jones – Head of Planning and Infrastructure Wychavon District Council
You will be aware that Aaron Black (Planning Enforcement Officer -Malvern Hills District Council) has been in touch regarding the St Modwen activity adjacent to Taylors Lane/Norton Road, and I’m sure you are also aware that there is a live planning enforcement case for the site (ENF/20/0039) and a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN). The purpose of this e-mail is not therefore to go over old ground, but to formally express the concern of the Parish Council (PC) in that the first instance of St Modwen work in pursuance of SWUE delivery has caused such consternation.
There is no practical way in which the Planning Enforcement department can watch every move a developer makes, and nor should they have to, but there needs to be sufficient deterrence in place to ensure that the developers abide by the planning process. However, if I were to be cynical, I would argue that they have cut-back the hedge to ground level but not removed it completely so that they can claim exactly that if challenged. I also feel that it was done when it was in order to deconflict with the bird nesting season, which would otherwise have delayed them until after 31 Jul.
If this instance is indicative of the impunity with which the developers intend to proceed, then we have a tortuous few years ahead, and whatever punishment you can mete out at this early stage should be used to create a deterrent such that it doesn’t happen again. A lot of time and effort was put into the SWDP generally and SWUE specifically and if this behaviour is allowed to continue, it makes a mockery of that time and effort.
The PC look forward to being kept appraised regarding the pursuance of the planning enforcement and PCN.
Regards,
Kevin Fincher
Cllr K J Fincher
Chairman