Agenda item

(Councillor Tweddle re-joined the meeting as Chair at this stage in the proceedings.)

(Councillors C Burke and G Hewson joined the meeting late at this stage in the proceedings)

Kieron Manning, Assistant Director, Housing;

a.    presented a report to advise members of the reasons for proposed pond dredging and works to trees adjacent to the ornamental ponds in the care of the City Council on Lincoln South Common

b.    reported that the Council was responsible for the management and care of common land in the city and in accordance with the adopted Management Plan it was necessary to carry out works to the ponds on South Common for the benefit of wildlife and biodiversity

c.    advised that although the grounds of the pond area were managed periodically in the form of grass cutting, the ponds themselves had not received any form of management for some years which had resulted in them becoming silted-up with leaves and other debris from the trees surrounding them, and were fast becoming overgrown with reed growth

d.    highlighted that there were approximately 150 trees of both indigenous and non-indigenous species growing within the confines of the pond areas varying in maturity from young saplings to mature specimens, none of which were subject to a Tree Preservation Order or located within a Conservation Area

e.    reported that with the help of external agencies such as Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Commons Advisory Panel a need for both the dredging of the ponds and a reduction in the tree cover had been identified; the reduction in tree cover being not just to reduce further silting problems but also to improve water quality and thereby enhance the biodiversity value of the ponds

f.     referred to Appendix 3 of the report from the Director of Communities and Environment which included a site survey and recommendations from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

g.    outlined in further detail the proposed works at paragraph 4 of the report which included the proposed felling of 22 trees to increase the amount of sunlight afforded to the pond area as detailed at Appendix 4

h.    added that to offset the loss of these trees replanting of 22 indigenous tree species was proposed at more suitable locations around the site but away from the ponds to avoid any effect to light levels on the water in the future management of the area

i.      requested that the works set out within his report be approved.

Councillor Tweddle, Chair asked Dave Walker, Arboricultural Officer to for the duration of this item in the event that his advice was required on the works outlined for the site.

The Arboricultural Officer advised that he had not been involved in the project, however, he was happy to offer general technical knowledge to assist as required.

Members of Planning Committee discussed the content of the officer’s report in further detail. The dredging of the ponds/removal of trees was broadly supported. Members raised the following questions:

·         Were there any works required to the pond at the top of the South Common near Canwick Road?

·         When the ponds were last dredged?

·         Why had they been left until just recently?

·         The site survey conducted by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust referred to the need to stop planting trees, especially non-native trees on the South Common. Where would the replacement trees be located?

Kieron Manning, Assistant Director of Planning advised that he was not aware of the reason why the ponds had not been dredged earlier or when they was last dredged. Tree replacement would be carried out to fall in line with the council’s corporate policy when trees were removed. He would feed these queries back to the Community Services Section in order for a more detailed response to be provided.

Dave Walker, Arboricultural Officer highlighted that he had spoken to the Community Contracts Officer that morning and was able to offer the following points of clarification:

·         The pond referred to at the top of the South Common near Canwick Road had been cleared a few years ago and biodiversity in the area had increased as a result.

·         Minimal clearing of the trees would take place to allow excavators the opportunity to access the pond area to dredge from silt.

·         The work to trees would be carried out gradually over a three year period and not all at once.

·         As the trees were removed the effect on wildlife from the clearance would be monitored and works adjusted if necessary.

Councillor Hewson expressed disappointment that there had been a lack of consultation with the Arboricultural Officer and he hoped there would be better collaboration with him in the future.

RESOLVED that:

1.    Officers from the Community Services Section be asked to offer feedback to Planning Committee on the questions raised by members as detailed above.

2.    Detailed consultation be carried out in future with council officers having relevant expertise in relation to matters to be determined at Planning Committee

3.    The works set out in the report be approved.