Closed
Trees overgrown, overhanging property
Sent to Bromley Council less than a minute later
Two large sycamore trees outside numbers 10 and 11 Overstand Close are causing problems. They are enormous and are overhanging nearby properties. They cut out a lot of natural light meaning that we have to have internal lights on for large parts of the day. During the autumn, which we are now approaching, it creates a real problem with leaves falling covering the footpath which is used by elderly people. The leaves also block gutters creating other problems and cover private gardens. The leaves are never cleared away. We also experience branches falling from the trees during windy weather which could be a danger to people or cause damage to properties. These trees need to be better maintained and need some serious pruning immediately.
Updates
-
Thank you for your report, this is now being investigated. Information on our services and the timeframes we aim to respond in can be found: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/ fixservices
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:10, Sun 11 September 2022
-
Our contractor has been notified to take the appropriate action.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 09:57, Wed 21 September 2022
-
No action and no response. Poor.
-
Works have been raised for the tree implicated in the enquiry which have been issued to the contractor and in hand to be completed. Thank you for your patience.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 13:40, Thu 13 October 2022
-
Appropriate action has been taken to resolve the issue.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:39, Thu 3 November 2022
-
I am sorry but I do not believe that appropriate action has been taken. Two contractors arrived today and when I spoke to them, they said that the had been told to remove dead wood only. This consisted of just a few small branches which they did from the ground. It took them less than five minutes. This has not therefore dealt with the problem as reported in my first submission The trees are still the same size and the problem has not been dealt with at all. Please look at this again and take the right action to deal with the problem. Your approach must be costing Bromley more money as further action needs to be taken. It’s costly, frustrating and inefficient on your part.
-
Please see my response sent a few days ago. Go the sake of clarity, the problem has not been resolved and I expect a more detailed reply as to the action to be taken.
-
The works undertaken to this tree are consistent with the instructions to our contractor and relate to an identified health & safety or highway obstruction issue, please note that works beyond that to reduce the tree size to allow more light, prune clear of telephone lines etc will not be taken as outlined in our Tree Management Strategy (https://www.bromley.gov.uk/ downloads/ file/ 3334/ tree_management_strategy_2016-2020)
Posted by Bromley Council
at 10:21, Mon 14 November 2022
-
My request has not been dealt with properly. The latest response I received seems to be a standard line about not cutting trees. It did not deal with the specific issues and is an unacceptable response. Nobody has been to look at them, apart from two contractors who said they had just been asked to remove dead wood which was about two or three small branches. They spent less than five minutes doing this and seemed to be in a rush to leave. Bromley council need to look at its policy and handling issues as they keep on about planting more trees but don’t see to want to maintain them. I also suspect they are paying over the odds for the work done by the contractors. Could someone from Bromley Council please contact me to discuss their poor handling of this report.
-
Thank you for your update. The tree has been inspected by a qualified Tree Officer and was found to be in good condition, and only required the removal of some dead branches.
No further action is to be taken regarding the reported tree, please note that as outlined in our Tree Management Strategy (https://www.bromley.gov.uk/ downloads/ file/ 3334/ tree_management_strategy_2016-2020) the Council will not prune trees in relation to the following:
• Branches overhanging properties - residents have the right to exorcise their right under Common Law to prune back branches to their property boundary;
• Where a tree is thought be overly large;
• Interference with satellite, TV or other media reception;
• Branches and/or limbs in physical contact with telephone wires - telephone wires are plastic coated and faults on the line are very rarely caused by contact with branches;
• Excessive leaf fall: this is a seasonal problem and residents are expected to clear any leaf litter falling on their properties themselves. Leaf fall on the highway will be addressed through our street cleansing regime.
• Fruit fall: this is a seasonal problem and residents are expected to clear any fruit falling on their properties themselves. Fruit fall on the highway will be addressed through our street cleansing regime.
• Problems associated with pollen.
• Excreta caused by insects or birds: honeydew (aphid excreta) and bird droppings are not sticky sap are not recognised in law as a ‘legal nuisance’
• Obstruction of view: there are no rights associated with maintaining trees in accordance with maintaining views in British law
• Lack of light: there is no ‘Right to light’ (or shade) in British law.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 14:36, Mon 12 December 2022
-
-
Bromley Council have failed to deal with the issue reported. They say that it is not in their policy to do anything and sent a rather curt reply. I am not content with their handling. They have not even been round to look at the problem and only sent two contractors who were literally here for a few minutes. They weren’t interested in dealing with the problem and appeared in a rush to get away. I am dissatisfied with the way in which Bromley Council have handled this issue and I will now take it up with a local Councillor.
-
We are sorry you do not feel that the matter has been dealt with to your satisfaction, however as outlined above the tree has been inspected and works undertaken in line with what was assessed appropriate and in line with our Tree Management Strategy. This report is now closed.
Posted by Bromley Council
at 09:35, Monday 30 January 2023