Hi -

As our planning application drags it's feet slowly towards conclusion we have a slight dilema regarding removal of old trees/plants and the planting of their replacements on site. The planting/ecology/biodiversity is all part of the development plan to rejuvenate a brownfield site.

We have been advised by our ecologist that we really need to plant our new hedgerow before March (so any hibernating rodents, frogs, etc) have a new home to go to when we clear the site, and the trees approved for removal also need to be gone by March so we don't get any nesting birds before things can be cut down.

All the tree removal/new planting side of things has been okayed by the local TPO officer and ecology consultant the planning office use (as part of the ongoing planning application) but are we okay to start this side of things on site without planning permission? If we sit around waiting for permission to come through I can see the trees/bushes full of nesting birds and that's the year gone before we can get stuck in to the project.

Anyone any experience of this kind of thing?

Thanks,

DT.

Your planning permission should come through before March. But as long as you have squared everything with the TPO officer and ecologist, I agree with Tony, just do it.