We've just had Joe Mullen on the phone from the Exchange Coach House Inn, saying North Lincolnshire Council has served him with a notice to fell the large tree adjacent to his property which is such a feature of Bigby Street. He says he has two weeks to remove it - at his expense. Joe's been told its infected with a sort of fungus which could eat the tree from the inside. He reckons the tree is 100 years old and believes many Brigg people will be unhappy to see it removed in the name of health and safety.
Brigg Blog is to email North Lincolnshire Council for a statement, which we will post if one is received in due course.
Surely, it is the diligent duty of JM to regularly check the soundness of a large tree on his land.
ReplyDeleteSeemingly, it would be resaonable to assume that JM would have assessed the tree and be aware that a mature, 100 year old tree can become diseased.
As the owner. like anyone else with a structure on his/her land, he must ensure that the tree does not cause a nuisance, or pose a danger to neighbours and other third parties.
Why does it appear that JM is surprised at NLC report; why, as it seems, have NLC found it necessary to assess a tree on private land.
It seems that NLC has found the tree in such a poor condition that they are demanding its felling asap.
It is up to JM to prove otherwise and to assure the public that the tree does pose a danger. As the owner he is fully responsible.
It is not a simple issue of health and safety versus the emotional unhappiness seeing its removal - NLC seems to be stating that the tree's state makes it a potential danger to the public....and if that is the case, any work and expense related to its removal remains JM's ...not the council tax payers.