Plans to prune protected trees on former Shirley Croft Hotel site in Grantham to go before committee

Plans relating to the redevelopment of a former Grantham hotel site will go before a committee due to concerns over tree pruning.

South Kesteven District Council’s planning committee will discuss plans to prune protected trees on the old Shirley Croft Hotel site off Harrowby Road.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan (Ind, St Vincent's) requested for the plans, which are recommended for approval by officers, to be brought before the committee.

In November 2022, councillors voted to refuse plans to build nine homes on the land due to concerns over the layout and design of the development.

The proposal was resubmitted by the applicant Grange Developments, with the refusal decision described as “irrational and unreasonable”.

This resubmission, for the construction of six homes as well as three previously approved dwellings, was approved conditionally in January, with work since commencing on the site.

Coun Morgan said: “It is hugely concerning the developer is now proposing to prune the trees and a tree officer is permitting this up to a height of 5.5 metres which could strip trunks bare to the 'height of a double decker bus'.

“This is excessive and appears to be more to help the developer promote and increase the visibility of the houses to sell them than anything to do with the protection of the trees, character of the area and residents amenity.

“If the trees were problematic this could and should have been taken into account when the application was originally considered and decision makers made aware of these extensive works then.

“I am pleased that SKDC planning officers have recognised the controversy of this tree pruning application to protected trees and have agreed to my request for it to come to committee.”

The application to prune the trees is recommended for approval, with the planning officer believing the proposed tree works to be “appropriate and justified”, with no “significant harm to the visual amenity of the area”.

The application is due to be discussed on November 22 at 1pm, with Coun Morgan planning to speak in her capacity as ward member against the plans.