Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St. Helier: Protection of Trees

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A decision made 6 February 2012:

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2012-0009
Subject:	List of Protected Trees: Trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier
Decision Summary Title:	DS – NoI to List as a Protected Tree Trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier
DS Author:	Director	File reference:	T/2012/002
DS Date:	01 February 2012	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – List of Protected Trees Trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier
WR Author:	Director: Policy and Projects
WR Date	01 February 2012	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Director: Policy and Projects
Decision(s):	The Minister expressed an intention to add six Holm oaks and three small-leaved lime trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier to the List of Protected Trees because of their amenity value
Reason(s) for Decision:	the amenity value of six Holm oaks and three small-leaved lime trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier as defined in the schedule and relative to the established criteria for selection, justifies their intended inclusion in the List of Protected Trees in accordance with the provisions and purposes of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 and; it accords with the States Strategic Plan commitment of protecting and enhancing our natural and built environment
Legal and Resource Implications:	Article 58(2) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 enables the Minister to include on the List of Protected Trees those trees which the Minister is satisfied, in the interests of the amenity of Jersey, should not be cut down, lopped or otherwise altered, harmed or interfered with, without the Minister’s permission.
Action required:	Serve notice of the Minister’s intention to add the tree(s) to the List of Protected Trees
Signature:
Name and Position:	Deputy RC Duhamel, Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St. Helier: Protection of Trees

		Item No:
		Date:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

List of Protected Trees

Trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier

Purpose of the Report

To enable the Minister to consider whether he intends to add a group of trees, comprising six Holm oaks (Quercus ilex) and two small-leaved limes (Tilia cordata) at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier to the List of Protected Trees.

Background and discussion

It has been brought to the attention of the department that works may be undertaken to manage and or remove some of the trees on land at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier. Residents of the flats at Norfolk Terrace have previously expressed concern about the presence of the trees and the implications of them for their properties, in terms of light, and the attraction they represent for roosting birds.

The trees in question comprise a group of relatively mature trees to the front of Norfolk Terrace. Six of the nine trees (T1-T6, 41994:66435 – 42001:66423) define the boundary between the frontage of Norfolk Terrace and the adjacent Norfolk Lodge Hotel: these are all Holm oaks. The remaining three trees, comprising small-leaved limes (T7-T9, 42009:66428 – 42028:66434), form a row along the frontage of Norfolk Terrace immediately adjacent Rouge Bouillon.

The trees are important and prominent features in the townscape and they contribute to the green corridor of mature trees that exist along Rouge Bouillon. It is relevant to note that trees at Gloster Terrace, to the west, and at the former Jersey College for Girls site, to the east, are already listed as Protected Trees.

These mature trees are prominent local features and have a positive relationship to both the street and the buildings being appropriate in both scale and their physical relationship with the large set piece Regency architecture of the Listed Norfolk Terrace.

The trees have been surveyed by the Arboricultural Officer (see appendix 3) and his view is that the limes warrant protection in their own right, as trees of good form and exceptional townscape value, whilst the protection of the Holm oaks is warranted through their group contribution to the streetscene.

The protection of the trees doe not preclude their ongoing management and indeed, the Arboricultural Officer has recommended regular pollarding of the oaks and pruning of the limes, to ensure their health, vigour and form, whilst ensuring that any adverse implications of their proximity to residential properties are managed. The benefit of formally protecting these trees would mean that further management of the trees can be regulated, to ensure that their amenity value is taken into account and maintained, as an integral part of their management.

Legal and resource implications

Article 58(2) of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 enables the Minister to include on the List of Protected Trees those trees which the Minister is satisfied, in the interests of the amenity of Jersey, should not be cut down, lopped or otherwise altered, harmed or interfered with, without the Minister’s permission.

Recommendation

On the basis of the above and the advice of the Arboricultural Officer the Minister is recommended to express an intention to add six Holm oaks and three small-leaved lime trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier to the List of Protected Trees because of their amenity value.

Reason(s) for Decision

the amenity value of six Holm oaks and three small-leaved lime trees at Norfolk Terrace, Rouge Bouillon, St Helier as defined in the schedule and relative to the established criteria for selection, justifies their intended inclusion in the List of Protected Trees in accordance with the provisions and purposes of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 and;

it accords with the States Strategic Plan commitment of protecting and enhancing our natural and built environment.

Action Required

Serve notice of the Minister’s intention to add the tree(s) to the List of Protected Trees

Written by:

Kevin Pilley: Director (Policy and Projects)

Attachments:

Appendix 1: location plan

Appendix 2: images

Appendix 3: Arboricultural assessment

File ref T/2012/0003

Date 01/02/12