Tree removal licenses

Summary

The request sought a list of tree removal licenses issued for Sandygate House since 2014. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed three specific licenses and noted that other removals may have occurred under plant health legislation or planning approvals.

Key Facts

• Three tree removal licenses were issued for the property between 2014 and 2015.
• License 521/15 included trees on the boundary adjoining Sandygate House.
• Tree removal can also occur under plant health legislation for diseased trees like Dutch Elm Disease.
• Tree removal can be included within a planning approval without a separate license.
• The request was processed by the Freedom of Information Co-ordinator at the Corporate Services Directorate.

Data Disclosed

• 175/14
• 24th December 2014
• 410/15
• 28th July 2015
• 521/15
• 16th September 2015
• 2014
• 2020-10-16
• 2020-10-26
• 1519093

Original Request

A list of licenses ISSUED in order to remove trees since 2014 to present day in respect of property SANDYGATE HOUSE, CLENAGH ROAD SANDYGATE IM7 3AF.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 1519093 26th October 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 16th October 2020 and which states:

"A list of licenses ISSUED in order to remove trees since 2014 to present day in respect of property SANDYGATE HOUSE, CLENAGH ROAD SANDYGATE IM7 3AF."

I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Licences issued to this property are: 175/14 issued 24th December 2014 410/15 issued 28th July 2015 521/15 issued 16th September 2015 – this licence included trees on the boundary adjoining Sandygate House. Further information For clarity it should be noted that the issue of a licence is not the only valid way to remove a tree within the bounds of legislation. For example, several diseased trees (with Dutch Elm Disease) have been removed under the plant health legislation and tree removal can be included in a planning approval.

Please quote the reference number 1519093 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely