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Gaining knowledge and experience from working at the Forestry Board and being a farmer, my Father knew when roadside trees had outgrown their position and were becoming a danger. So, in the year 2000 we had permission to fell 8 roadside trees. The work was carried out by Mr. Barry Dawson. The trees were cut down leaving a stump from which up to 20 new shoots have grown, now up to 4 m high, an ideal way of keeping the original tree alive and growing, and providing new hedging. Trees to remain
Trees recommended to be felled by Highways Staff to improve visibility splay when exiting gateway, and the Transport Division given the operational issues they are encountering.
Trees on north-side of gateway
Information regarding reducing the height of the hedges. I have also been advised by The Highway Dept. to lower the height of the hedges either side of the gateway to just below 1 m to allow visibility from a car window when exiting the gateway. The hedge from Sycamore tree 3 to the gateway will be lowered to 98 cm , then re-positioned on a curve on the grassy area creating a new hedge inside the field. A small triangle of earth a metre long will be removed from the corner creating a curved entrance making it easier to enter the field from the southern end. Just behind this new curved soil hedge I propose to plant a row of at least 6 new young trees which will include a Beech as there are no Beech trees at Scravorley. The hedge at the corner of the gateway on the northern side is higher at the moment due to some of the top layer of grass being put there by the JCB Contractor to build the hedge up because it was originally very low as my Father had to have a gate leaning against the hedge to prevent the sheep jumping over the hedge into the Curragh. This can easily be removed again by the JCB digger. The hedge on the roadside at the beginning of the Curragh belonging to Mr. Hubert Kermeen is only 148 cm high between the trees so will only require to be lowered by 50 cm . The hedge at the corner of the gateway will also be slightly curved taking away a metre triangle of earth.
Other information gained and supporting Application I asked Mr. David Anderson if he would visit the site as my M.H.K. and former Highways Minister to gain his opinion and advice. As we were standing in the gateway discussing visibilty, a double-decker bus passed going towards Ballacraine. Mr. Anderson noticed the bus driver moved out from the hedge and the wheels of the bus were over the central white line in the road. I told him that when two buses, or another large vehicle pass each other at that point, one bus has to stop to allow the other bus to pass before continuing because the trunks of several trees are leaning into the road preventing the bus driving close to the hedge, thus causing the driver to move away from the hedge and over the central white line. He advised me to contact the Bus Company and inform them of this situation. I phoned and spoke to Mr. Les Cannan, then wrote a letter to Mr. David Kinrade. Mr. Cannan came to view the site, also passed as a passenger on a bus and informed Mr. Kinrade who has sent me the letter which I have enclosed. This explains in more detail what Mr. Kinrade is referring to in his letter when he mentions 'the operational issues we are encountering'. I phoned Mr. Peter Keenan from the Forestry Dept. and asked if he could come and look at other trees at Scravorley across the road from the house because I know several are in need of attention. He made a list of all the trees requiring work done on them and I have received a Licence with a list of species and description of Authorised work to be carried out on 14 trees. Whilst at Scravorley I asked Mr. Keenan to also look at the trees either side of the gateway which the Highway Dept. recommend to be removed to increase visibility, and now supported by the Bus Company too, and he has no objection to the work being carried out. The two trees nearest Ballacraine are on the Curragh hedge and belong to Mr. Hubert Kermeen so I have asked his opinion and permission and he has no objection to the trees being removed. Since moving to Scravorley in 1966 my Father took great pride in designing an orchard, buying and planting many species of trees where he had the space in areas 6 \& 7 and the joy of seeing them fruit and flourish. He probably planted over 150 trees around Scravorley, ranging from conifers, different species of broadleaf, a variety of fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and soft fruits. So we have greatly improved and provided an ecologically friendly environment enhancing and promoting a rich and natural habitat for birds, bees and insects. The land has not been exploited for monetary gain but has been managed with sensitivity and thoughtfulness to the environment therefore I feel the removal of the roadside trees can be justified for all the reasons above, and by the planting of new trees in the re-positioned curved hedge by the gateway . I have asked many people their opinion and the over-riding advice is "You will never regret improving visibility" and although at first I only thought I would need to have double Visibility Mirrors installed and not have trees removed or hedges lowered, but I have realised there are very good reasons why the professsional Staff from Government Departments are recommending and supporting the removal of the trees and hedges lowered, and therefore this is why I am applying and asking permission from the Planning Committee.
Yours sincerely, Miss G.A. Gorrin Miss C. A. Corrin 27st May 2011
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