Constructive ideas for Ground Development

[Turnkey]

It has been mentioned previously in this thread that the development would be affected by the possibility of tree preservation orders. In recent years we have had trees removed at the High Street End to allow for the Community Stand to be built. Before that trees were removed to allow for the portakabins to be placed again at the High Street end.
Questions:
Can anyone actually confirm there is such an order in place!
Did we get/need permission a few years back to allow the removal as mentioned of trees.

Am I barking up the wrong tree!

Like the elusive covenant, it’s another urban myth that’s grown over the years. A few years back we looked at getting the tree at the top of the steps removed as the needle like seeds were causing damage to the pitch, we spoke with RBC and they said the held no such order. The only reason it remains was because the cost was prohibitive.

[Localshot]

Much appreciated.

[Richard Petty]

It has been mentioned previously in this thread that the development would be affected by the possibility of tree preservation orders. In recent years we have had trees removed at the High Street End to allow for the Community Stand to be built. Before that trees were removed to allow for the portakabins to be placed again at the High Street end.
Questions:
Can anyone actually confirm there is such an order in place!
Did we get/need permission a few years back to allow the removal as mentioned of trees.

Am I barking up the wrong tree!

Love the pun at the end Dave

Tree removal is complex as different trees have different catagories when it comes to preservation.based on whst they are, where they are and how old they are. Broadly speaking here are three catagories, trees you can remove, trees you can remove as long as you plant replacement ones elsewhere and trees you cannot remove at all. I know that the ones that were removed for the community stand were inspected by RBC and had no significance so we could just take those out. I dont know what the status of other trees around the stadium will turn out to be but I would expect a mix of catagories.

[Localshot]

Turnkey says it is an urban myth!
Richard says it depends on the tree and circumstances!

Anyone else with an opinion to get to the root of this?

[GetShotDownunder]

I wood believe planting sufficient trees elsewhere wood contribute significantly towards not getting tree removal permits stumped, unless under exceptional circumstances.

Any possibility space under a west stand could be used for High st retail?

[Turnkey]

Turnkey says it is an urban myth!
Richard says it depends on the tree and circumstances!

Anyone else with an opinion to get to the root of this?

TPO’s are granted where the woodland in question is of special interest to the community or in some cases because of a rare species of tree. When we enquired, I believe about 10-12 years ago, we asked for the Lime at the top of the steps at the HSE to be looked at and were told there were no orders pertaining to it. Next along that end are a couple of manky old conker trees that are a pain in the arse to clear up in Autumn time. The only possible tree I could foresee an issue with would be the big beech in the HSE/North Stand corner, but as a TPO is granted by the Local Authority, if they support the development, surely they would work with the club to find a solution to resolve any potential issues.

[Localshot]

Thanks Turnkey...and yes clearing up those blooming conkers was an experience in itself.

[Richard Petty]

Turnkey says it is an urban myth!
Richard says it depends on the tree and circumstances!

Anyone else with an opinion to get to the root of this?

TPO’s are granted where the woodland in question is of special interest to the community or in some cases because of a rare species of tree. When we enquired, I believe about 10-12 years ago, we asked for the Lime at the top of the steps at the HSE to be looked at and were told there were no orders pertaining to it. Next along that end are a couple of manky old conker trees that are a pain in the arse to clear up in Autumn time. The only possible tree I could foresee an issue with would be the big beech in the HSE/North Stand corner, but as a TPO is granted by the Local Authority, if they support the development, surely they would work with the club to find a solution to resolve any potential issues.

In the old days Turnkey your right if you had local authorities working with you on a project then they could pretty much rubber stamp anything including tree removal and other environmental decision making. Things are a bit more difficult now as they have their hands tied by national legislation which means they can be called to explain decisions such as removing trees, green space etc.... It doesn't mean that decisions cant be made but the bar of proving necessity is set a lot higher. For example the new Farnborough Civic Quarter has required the removal of many trees actually in the hundreds however some isolated trees have had to remain even though its a council project and designs have had to be changed slightly in order to accommodate them. On the other hand HS2 which is deemed a project of national interest and benefit does not have such restraints and some protected trees have been approved for removal as it was seen that there was no alternative.

[Turnkey]

Turnkey says it is an urban myth!
Richard says it depends on the tree and circumstances!

Anyone else with an opinion to get to the root of this?

TPO’s are granted where the woodland in question is of special interest to the community or in some cases because of a rare species of tree. When we enquired, I believe about 10-12 years ago, we asked for the Lime at the top of the steps at the HSE to be looked at and were told there were no orders pertaining to it. Next along that end are a couple of manky old conker trees that are a pain in the arse to clear up in Autumn time. The only possible tree I could foresee an issue with would be the big beech in the HSE/North Stand corner, but as a TPO is granted by the Local Authority, if they support the development, surely they would work with the club to find a solution to resolve any potential issues.

In the old days Turnkey your right if you had local authorities working with you on a project then they could pretty much rubber stamp anything including tree removal and other environmental decision making. Things are a bit more difficult now as they have their hands tied by national legislation which means they can be called to explain decisions such as removing trees, green space etc.... It doesn't mean that decisions cant be made but the bar of proving necessity is set a lot higher. For example the new Farnborough Civic Quarter has required the removal of many trees actually in the hundreds however some isolated trees have had to remain even though its a council project and designs have had to be changed slightly in order to accommodate them. On the other hand HS2 which is deemed a project of national interest and benefit does not have such restraints and some protected trees have been approved for removal as it was seen that there was no alternative.

I think when you want to take down whole woodland in green belt, in your example HS2, then you may well have more issues and would most definitely need a plan to replace what’s lost, but in our case it would just be a couple of very common trees that shouldn’t be an issue. However the caveat being if you look at the project as a whole and not just the HSE, if there needs to be a significant amount of tree felling behind the Eastbank then that may be a whole different prospect.

[Roger D]

https://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/planning-an ... aldershot/

There's the Aldershot tree preservation orders. I've only skim read it but can't see anything relevant to the ground

[Headley Shot]

Is there any reason why the football club should be given a lease on all this land owned by Rushmoor council ?
The council owns the land the club operates on, surely they should have been investing and overseeing the development themselves ? I would have more faith in having a stadium in public ownership than the present owners of Aldershot Town FC.
I’ve supported the club for over 50 years but I no longer believe it’s in the best interests of supporters or the local community to give this asset to these individuals. Let the council develop the land and give the community a stadium to be proud of.
Aldershot Town can rent the stadium on matchdays and perhaps concentrate on sporting success for a change.

[ShotOnTarget]

Is there any reason why the football club should be given a lease on all this land owned by Rushmoor council ?
The council owns the land the club operates on, surely they should have been investing and overseeing the development themselves ? I would have more faith in having a stadium in public ownership than the present owners of Aldershot Town FC.
I’ve supported the club for over 50 years but I no longer believe it’s in the best interests of supporters or the local community to give this asset to these individuals. Let the council develop the land and give the community a stadium to be proud of.
Aldershot Town can rent the stadium on matchdays and perhaps concentrate on sporting success for a change.

Agreed. I struggle to understand what the directors of the Club bring to the party.

[Richard Petty]

Is there any reason why the football club should be given a lease on all this land owned by Rushmoor council ?
The council owns the land the club operates on, surely they should have been investing and overseeing the development themselves ? I would have more faith in having a stadium in public ownership than the present owners of Aldershot Town FC.
I’ve supported the club for over 50 years but I no longer believe it’s in the best interests of supporters or the local community to give this asset to these individuals. Let the council develop the land and give the community a stadium to be proud of.
Aldershot Town can rent the stadium on matchdays and perhaps concentrate on sporting success for a change.

The club would always have to lease (or own) the stadium with or without the land as you cannot be eligible for promotion to the EFL unless you have either the freehold or a minimum 10 year lease. If you are not eligible for promotion then you cannot play within the league that provides that promotion so the highest level we could ever play if we rented the stadium would be National League South.

Regarding Council providing cash investment they can argue that investing in retail/offices/and housing is a direct benefit to the residents of Rushmoor I doubt that building a stadium for a football club would meet that threshold. You may recall that back when the lease was granted RBC were invited to become partners in the development and they declined as they did not feel it was something they could get directly involved in.

[Rba]

Thank you Richard
I feel members of Aldershot town FC know that and their YES MEN.

[Headley Shot]

No I don’t recall RBC being invited to become partners and rejecting the idea Richard. What I’m saying is RBC don’t need partners to do any of this, least of all with the owners of this football club.