**Document:** CON Consultation 1 DEFA Forestry
**Application:** 19/00358/B — Alterations and erection of rear extension
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2019-05-24
**Parish:** Braddan
**Document Type:** consultation / defa_response
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/28985-braddan-15-first-avenue-alteration-extension/documents/1041477

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# CON Consultation 1 DEFA Forestry

From: Igoea, Andrew
Sent: 29 April 2019 09:32
To: Visigah, Paul
Cc: DEFA, South Planning Enquiries; DEFA, Planning; Dave Luton
Subject: 19/00358/B: 15 First Avenue, Douglas
Attachments: DSC00009.JPG; DSC00020.JPG; DSC00038.JPG; DSC00040.JPG

Hi Paul,

I would like to make the following comments in relation to application 19/00358/B (15 First Avenue, Douglas).

To the west of this property, on land owned by the Department of Education, there is an area of registered trees. These trees were added to register in November 2016 after a number of large mature trees were topped. With the DoE's permission this work was arranged and paid for by some of the residents to the south of this address due to complaints about shading. Unfortunately, the DoE didn't put any restrictions on the pruning and the trees were butchered as a result – see attached photo, taken this month (April 2019) from the rear garden of Skyhill (No.13), First Avenue. You can also see in this photo, on the far right hand side, that there is a large mature elm tree which hasn't been topped. As one of the few trees in this area which hasn't been topped I am keen to see this tree protected as far as is reasonably practicable.

Based on the recommendations of BS5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – recommendations) the minimum root protection area for this tree is approximately 11m. The length of the garden, measured from the back wall of the existing house footprint, is approximately 21m. Following the extension to the rear this will obviously be reduced and the plan as proposed (drawing P/1187/1181) appears to show drainage (a soakaway?) protruding further in to the garden towards this boundary. I recommend that you seek clarification from the agent about the drainage arrangements for this extension before the outcome is determined. The plans need to clearly show that no excavation will be required within 11m of this tree.

Regards,

Andrew Igoea | Arboricultural Officer
Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate | Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
Thie Slieau Whallian | Foxdale Road | St Johns | Isle of Man | IM4 3AS
TEL: (+44) 01624 695705 | MOB: (+44) 07624 463081 | E-MAIL: andrew.igoea@gov.im

18 04 2019

![A photograph showing a residential rear garden with a wooden fence, grass lawn, and a soccer goal. Neighboring houses and trees are visible in the background.](https://images.planningportal.im/2019/03/212322.jpg)

![A photograph showing a paved patio area with a low retaining wall and steps leading up to a wooden fence and trees.](https://images.planningportal.im/2019/03/7220347.jpg)

![photograph from page 4](https://images.planningportal.im/2019/03/7220379.jpg)

18 04 2019

![map or plan from page 5](https://images.planningportal.im/2019/03/212325.jpg)

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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/28985-braddan-15-first-avenue-alteration-extension/documents/1041477*