Street Record, Kaynton Mead, Newbridge, Bath

Proposals are for the removal of tree “114 ash” on the junction between the Kaynton Mead residential cul-de-sac and Locksbrook Road, situated within the Bath City-Wide Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. The tree forms part of a cluster of planting at the western entrance to the residential access road; whilst not a significant specimen in its own right, it does cumulatively contribute towards the public greening of the streetscape, and helps to visually break up an area of hard landscaping.

We note that the application currently proposes the felling of a street tree without sufficient justification as to the reasons for felling, resulting in the unmitigated loss of a public street tree from the conservation area. In accordance with Policy NE6 tree works should seek to avoid adverse impact on trees of landscape and amenity value, and appropriate retention and/or replanting is strongly encouraged. In light of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, it is critical to retain established street trees where these provide numerous ecological, social, and aesthetic benefits, including carbon sequestration, provision of natural shading, reducing the effects of air pollution (particularly where situated alongside a well-used road), and provision of wildlife habitat. We strongly encourage further information is provided with regard to the reasons for felling, and whether these may not be sufficiently addressed through appropriate pruning or maintenance works instead.