Aggregate Industries’ proposed scheme to quarry Straitgate Farm would result in the loss of a large number of mature trees, according to the company’s own consultants, including two 200-year old oaks, Trees F and G:
Devon County Council Highways have confirmed that they would not accept a “no dig” construction, due to HGV vehicles that will be using the road to access the proposed development... [which] means that the works will potentially interfere with the root protection areas of Trees F, G and H and some of G15A as illustrated by Drawing R22/L/3-3-005 and it is likely they will be damaged by the development and need to be felled. 4.1
Indeed, "an unacceptable loss of mature trees" was one of the Reasons for Refusal advanced by Devon County Council when the application was rejected in December 2021. The arboricultural evidence advanced by the Council at the subsequent Public Inquiry concluded:
6.2 The Appellant’s proposal does not adequately consider the significant impact upon the Notable trees F and G impacted as a result of works to the access. These trees are mature and of potential veteran status and should be re-categorised as A (high value) with the sub- category 3 (wildlife and/or cultural attributes). The buffers proposed by the Appellant through the RPAs are inadequate, particularly in the light of amendment of means of construction of the access road from ‘no dig’ to metalled, while the Appellant’s proposed mitigation of a ‘watching brief’ is insufficient to secure their protection and would not contribute or link to the wider ecological network or green infrastructure requirements.
And no wonder – when you consider how far the roots of an oak tree extend:
Exposed roots reflect this reality š³ pic.twitter.com/mjsGPpXq69
— The English Oak Project (@TheKentAcorn) December 30, 2022
