Trees and Landscape Service Charter
This section provides information about the Council's performance charter concerning the protection of trees.
In this charter, we set out the standards we have set ourselves to process applications for works to protected trees and requests for trees to receive new protection.
It also contains details of how we publish information on our performance and how applicants can help get the best out of the service.
This charter is one of four covering services delivered by the Council's Building and Development Services Unit. The others cover, planning applications, building control and enforcing planning control.
Main features of the service
- Providing limited advice on landscape issues and the need for tree works approval and whether an application is likely to be successful
- Processing tree work applications
- Seeking the views of neighbours and other interested parties on proposals
- Representing the Council in any appeals against its planning decisions
- Monitoring development to make sure that trees are properly protected
- Placing protection on trees that are of high value to the public
Service statistics 2002
- The tree and landscapes team consisted of 2 officers
- It received over 300 applications
- Over 1,120 site inspections were carried out
- 60 requests for tree preservation orders were received
- 4 appeals were lodged
- Over 1,500 written enquiries were handled
If you plan to carry out works to trees on private land
1. We will provide advice to contractors on whether works need the Council's approval within 5 working days of receipt of written details
2. We will provide general tree care advice by telephone between 9am and 5pm on working days (4.45pm on Fridays) (see detailed response targets below)
If you submit an application for works to protected trees
3. We will tell you if your application is invalid and request any necessary additional information within 3 working days of receipt
4. We will register valid applications within 3 working days of receipt
5. We will inspect the application site within 28 days of registering your application
6. We will determine 90% of applications for works to trees protected by preservation orders or planning conditions within in 8 weeks of registration
7. We will determine 100% of notifications of work to trees within conservation areas within 6 weeks of registration
8. If your application is refused or granted but subject to conditions we will inform you of your right of appeal
If someone else makes an application which we think may affect you
9. We will write to inform immediate neighbours of an application within 3 working days of registration
10. We will make copies of the application available for inspection at the Town Hall and Help Shops within 5 working days of registration
11. We will produce a weekly list of new applications and decisions every Thursday (this may vary at Christmas and New year) and publish it at Reigate Town Hall, in libraries and Help Shops and on our web site
If an appeal is made against the Council's decision
12. We will:
- notify interested parties within 5 working days of the start date
- send questionnaires to the Planning Inspectorate within 14 working days of the start date
- send our statements of case to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 weeks of the start date
- exchange proofs of evidence with the appellant and the Planning Inspectorate at least 4 weeks before a public inquiry
If you ask us to place a preservation order on a tree
13. We will acknowledge your request and advise you of the priority we will give it within 5 days of receipt. If we propose to make a preservation order, we will tell you what sort of order it would be
14. We will serve 100% of priority 1 Tree Preservation Orders within 5 working days of receiving the written request
15. We will determine whether to serve all other requests for Tree Preservation Orders within 3 months of receiving the written request
General
- We will answer telephone calls on average within 6 seconds on working days (8.45am- 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am-4.45pm on Fridays)
- We will reply to letters within 5 working days of receipt, or acknowledge if more time is needed to investigate the matters
- We will investigate any complaints about the service that we deliver within 14 working days of receipt, or if we need more time, say how much more time before the 14 days are up
How will you know we have achieved these targets?
16. We will review performance against these targets and we will publish the results in the reception at Reigate Town Hall, at help Shops within the Borough and on the Council's website.
Any changes in performance will be reported to and discussed with the Director of Policy and Environment.
17. Our performance against selected targets may be published annually in the Council's Best Value performance Plan
How can you help?
To help us reduce delays in processing your application:
- Check the Council's guidance notes on submitting an application. If you believe that the application is complex or likely to be controversial, consider obtaining advice from a professional agent or request a pre-application discussion with a tree officer
- Ensure that you have correctly filled in the application form and enclosed all necessary plans and the correct application fee
To ensure you get a response to your enquiry:
- Contact one of the Help Shops or the Council's Advice Centre (01737 276262) where an adviser can answer the majority of queries about the progress of an application.
- If you need to speak to an officer, avoid the peak time of the day (10.30am to 3.30pm when officers are often on site or in meetings)
PLEASE NOTE:
Priority 1 Tree Preservation Order requests are where we believe there to be a danger of felling or inappropriate works being carried out in the near future.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
See Also
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