Please pass on these details and instruction on how to apply for a tree removal via our Tree Strategy to your constituent and apologises if previous attempts to contact to the relevant department has failed.
Pre-face Information
I write with reference to your enquiry received in Highway Services requesting the removal of the tree from outside your property in accordance with the Council’s Tree Strategy.
It is not Council Policy to remove a healthy tree by individual request as it is felt that the greater overall public interest would not be best served by its removal. Therefore, all removal requests are in the first instance automatically refused. However, a component of the Council’s Tree Strategy allows the opportunity for an applicant to appeal against this refusal.
If you are making this application on behalf of somebody-else please ensure you make this known to the officer whom you are speaking with.
Tree removal
A tree in Enfield is only scheduled for removal if it:
· has died
· is dying or in decline and presents a danger to people or property
· has become unmanageable
· has outgrown its location and can no longer be managed with pruning methods
· has reached the end of its useful life within the street scene
· causes a financial liability that cannot be rectified by pruning
· causes a conflict with legislation
· means doing so will have an environmental benefit
· is causing disease or a pest problem that cannot be controlled if the tree remains
Stumps will be kept at 1m height for safety reasons until a contractor can remove it. New trees will be replanted where possible.
Stage 1 – Application Fee and Cost Advisement
On payment of the application fee £355 (please be aware this application fee is not refundable) Please inform us when payment has been made to enable the process to start by quoting your name and address. You may do this by emailing the above address or if you do not have access to a computer you may visit Enfield Libraries where computers are accessible for residents to use.
Please confirm in this email that you had read and understand the Stage 1 communication (this email) please also include your reasons for the desired removal. You will also be required to provide to the tree team, proof of any supporting documentation e.g. proof of disabled badge, medical reasons etc. This will be irrespective of if you have already produced these documents to another team within Enfield Council. Service areas may not necessarily share records. Any documents or records received can only be accepted if they apply to individuals who reside at the residence. Proof of this may be requested.
The price for the tree’s removal and replacement (if approved) can range between £350-£2000. The final price will be confirmed to you when the report is considered by the Director.
The price for replacement can vary upon applications, this is due to Enfield Council joining the Green Blue Strategy which commits to increasing the green canopy cover in the borough by 25%. When removal of a well-established tree with a large canopy takes place, it is not sufficient to replace this with 1 young sapling which will take a number of years to mature, therefore in some cases the replacement costs include the replacement of more than one tree.
Stage 2 – Resident Engagement
On receipt of this written request, a 21 day communication process begins with your neighbouring residents who may be affected by the removal of the tree.
At the end of the 21 day time period a Tree Officer will carry out a survey of the tree and compile a written report that will cover the asset and condition value of the tree.
Stage 3 – Final Report
The report will be submitted to the Director along with the applicant’s initial request and supporting documentation and all resident responses to allow the Director to make a decision on the application.
Please note that once the final decision has been made, there are no further forms of appeal if the application is refused.
Payments
Please be aware that your appeal will not be processed until the application fee has been received.
You may pay the Tree Strategy application fee of £355 via any of the following methods:
· by credit/debit card on the Council’s website www.Enfield.gov.uk
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Payment Amount – £355
Please enter all information relating to your payment – REF ES1343 67668 & your address
Description of Payment – Tree Removal Application
- By credit/debit card by calling the Customer Service Centre on 020 8379 1000
Please inform us when payment has been made to enable the process to start by quoting your name and address. You may do this by emailing the above address or if you do not have access to a computer you may visit Enfield Libraries where computers are accessible for residents to use.
When the payment is made, the website will provide a receipt. Please send a copy of this to Treegroupmailbox@Enfield.gov.uk