Requirement to remove trees to enable road improvements

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A decision made (18/06/2007) regarding: Requirement to remove trees to enable road improvements for a Housing Development at Field 851, near Bel Royal.

Subject:	Requirement to remove trees to enable road improvements for a Housing Development at Field 851 near Bel Royal.
Decision Reference:	MD-T-2007-0051		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:	I:Minister:2007:Ministerial Decisions:MD0051
Written report – Title	Requirement to remove trees to enable road improvements for a Housing Development at Field 851 near Bel Royal.
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Dave St George Manager – Transport Policy
Decision(s): Proposals to widen St Peter’s Valley main road alongside the development are essential to:  enable a footpath to be constructed on the north side of the road linking La Rue de la Blanche Pierre with the existing footpath to the south  enable a pedestrian central refuge to be installed and consequently the Minister agreed to request the Minister for Planning and Environment to remove the provisional listing of two remaining trees which would prevent the above.
Reason(s) for decision: Alternative provisions would provide a significantly reduced level of safety for pedestrians, both for the new development and for existing residents of the area. Although it is regrettable that the road side trees will be lost, the plans include a planting scheme to replace them. If the opportunity is not taken during the development to provide good pedestrian links it is unlikely that it would be achieved at some point in the future and pedestrian safety would have been compromised.
Action required: Advise the Minister for Planning and Environment that the road improvements as previously agreed are essential and consequently the two provisionally listed trees will need to be removed.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)		Date of Decision: 18 June 2007

Requirement to remove trees to enable road improvements

TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES

Requirement to Remove Trees to Enable Road Improvements for a Housing Development at Field 851 near Bel Royal

Purpose of the Report

To request the Minister’s support in opposing provisional tree preservation Orders on St Peter’s Valley Main road at a proposed housing development for 102 units near Bel Royal.

Background

Fields 851 etc near Bel Royal were rezoned for housing in the Jersey Island Plan 2002. Plans were submitted in November 2004 for 140 units of accommodation. The application met strong opposition. A revised application was subsequently submitted for 129 units. Opposition continued and a proposition from the Connétable of St Lawrence that the number of units should be a maximum of 97 was approved by the States in July 2006. An application for 102 units was eventually approved in May 2007.

On request of the then Public Services Department traffic section, the approved design included the widening of the main road to enable the provision of new footpaths and a central pedestrian crossing refuge.

On receipt of development permission, the developer commenced tree felling along the roadside and complaints were received from members of the public regarding the loss of mature oak trees and in particular that the trees should not be felled at the start of the summer season. The Minister for Planning and Environment consequently provisionally added the two most northerly of the three remaining roadside oak trees along the north-eastern boundary of Field 851 to the list of protected trees. The notices were served on 17th May 2007. The Planning Department has asked the Transport and Technical Services Department to advise on the implications to the road improvements if the trees remain.

Discussion

The development will add a significant amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to the area, and it is appropriate to require the developer not just to provide safe pedestrian and vehicular access to and from the development but also to provide means of mitigating against its impact. The proposed arrangement will provide safe pedestrian routes between Sandybrook, the new development, La Rue de la Blanche Pierre and Bel Royal.

In his consideration of the Planning application, the Minister for Planning and Environment cited the following two points in consideration of the objections received on the grounds of traffic impact: -

 the particular advantages of the site from a sustainable transport perspective;

 the proposals in the scheme aimed at encouraging more sustainable forms of transport (i.e. walking, cycling and bus travel);

It would be in conflict with these reasons for approval, not to provide the pedestrian routes as proposed.

A plan is attached showing the proposed road arrangements and the position of the two trees subject to a provisional preservation order.

Several road side trees are affected by three highway requirements as follows: -

A - Visibility splays at the new entrance to the development

B - Widening of the road to provide a pedestrian refuge

C - Widening of the road to provide a footpath on the north side of the main road connecting the existing footpath to La Rue de la Blanche Pierre.

A - The visibility requirements for the new access onto the main do not affect the two trees in question.

B - Widening of the road to provide a central refuge requires the removal of the remaining tree no. 54. A central pedestrian refuge will be the safest means of providing for pedestrians to cross the road.

C - To enable the existing footpath to be extended along the north-east side of the main road to connect through to La Rue de la Blanche Pierre, both trees (Nos 54 and 58) need to be removed.

Part C is an essential part of the improvements. St Peter’s Valley carries a high volume of traffic with a significant number of heavy goods vehicles. Walking along the roadside in this part of St Peter's Valley without a footpath is a hazardous experience. There are over 40 properties near the foot of La Rue de la Blanche Pierre which will benefit from the extension to the footpath. They will then be able to walk to Bel Royal whereas at present they would be encouraged to make the journey by car for reasons of safety. It will also provide a safe route for residents from the new housing, via the proposed pedestrian refuge to Rue de la Blanche Pierre and the public footpath (La Ruelle Corbel) through to La Rue de Haut.

Conclusion

Alternative provisions would provide a significantly reduced level of safety for pedestrians, both for the new development and for existing residents of the area. Although it is regrettable that the road side trees will be lost, the plans include a planting scheme to replace them. If the opportunity is not taken during the development to provide good pedestrian links it is unlikely that it would be achieved at some point in the future and pedestrian safety would have been compromised.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the road improvements as previously agreed.

Reason(s) for Decision

To ensure that pedestrian safety is not compromised and that sustainable travel modes are encouraged.

Action Required

Advise the Minister for Planning and Environment that the road improvements as previously agreed are essential and consequently the two provisionally listed trees will be required to be felled.

Written by:	David St George Manger Transport Policy

Approved by:	Caroline Anderson – Director of Transport