As we pointed out in our objection, this application was directly connected to planning application 4063/19/FUL, which received planning consent some months earlier. Crucially the Development Management Committee had given it delegated consent on the understanding that the access road was capable of accommodating the required construction vehicles, without causing destruction to the environment.

Now the applicant was claiming: 'The driveway access up to Sandnes is challenging due to the steep gradient, width and winding route. Whilst every effort is being made to use construction vehicles that are suited to these limitations, there is a mature Sitka spruce located in a position which will prevent access to some of those vehicles. Therefore its removal is necessary to provide space to allow construction vehicle access'.

Nor was the applicant the owner of the land on which the trees concerned were located, and there was no evidence that any agreement had been reached to remove the trees and subsequently plant replacements.

In refusing the application the Decision Notice explained: 'the Council refuses consent having given due consideration to the reasons put forward in support of the application. The Council does not consider that the reasons put forward outweigh the impact the proposed works will have on the amenity value of the tree(s)', adding 'The applicant for the associated development has confirmed through previous submissions that the approved planning consent can be enacted without the requirement for tree felling. The felling of T1 based upon the reasons given will be harmful to the public visual amenities of the local and wider landscape.'