Paul Welch
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2022-0178
All 2 responses received
· Deadline: 15 Nov 2022
Response Status
Responses
2 of 1
56-Day Deadline
15 Nov 2022
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
Information Classification: CONTROLLED As set out above, the remedial works that it has been advised be carried out to the trees aligning Sailors Creek have not been undertaken notwithstanding the obvious risks to individuals present there, as evidenced by the tragic death of Mr Welch.
Responses
Cornwall Council has expedited the process for tree remedial works, holding a site meeting and requesting updated specifications. They state that planning consent for felling works will be issued immediately, and a decision on a second application is expected before the end of the month.
AI summary
View full response
Dear Mr Cox, AJC/LLS_3949493 Regulation 28 Prevention of Future Deaths letter I am writing to respond to the above letter dated 15th June 2022. The Council received an application from Sailors Creek CIC for works to various trees subject to Tree Preservation Order at Sailors Creek, Trevissome, Flushing on 14th January 2022. The application reference is PA22/00364. Such applications are required to provide sufficient detail for the Local Planning Authority to be clear on the extent of the works and the justification therein. In this instance, the supporting information provided with the application was not sufficiently detailed for the Local Planning Authority to determine the application. This was raised with the applicant on 9th March 2022 and further justification was requested to support the application. The Council's Tree Officer sought to meet with the applicant's arboriculturist at that time but there was a reluctance to do so and on 23rd March 2022 the applicant asked for the application to be put on hold for the time being. Following receipt of your letter the Council discussed the matter with as landowner and suggested once again that a meeting on site with the relevant parties would help to bring this matter to a conclusion. A meeting was subsequently arranged for 1st August with representatives from Sailors Creek CIC, Trefusis Estate, Mylor Parish Council, Tree Wise arboricultural consultants, Cornwall Council planning and tree officers. The Council wrote to all attendees prior to the meeting and suggested the following approach for the meeting:
1. I would recommend an agreement be reached for a systematic approach to inspection of the trees and the risk they pose. The trees should be considered by the appointed specialist in line with industry recognised tree inspection procedures (E.g. VTA) and where appropriate/necessary, a recognised tree risk management framework (QTRA, VALID, etc.) It is imperative that the surveyed evidence and risk assessment provides clear and convincing justification for any tree management proposals, proportionally to the magnitude of proposed works.
2. This review of the tree asset will enable a revised set of tree work specifications to be drawn up by the applicants appointed arborist/arboriculturist.
3. This assessment/report must be in line with industry best practices and specify works that represent a proportional and well evidenced response to the condition of the trees and the assessed risk they pose, while considering their amenity value and long-term contribution to the local landscape.
4. These proposals, including any replanting measures, once finalised to the satisfaction of the applicant (SC CIC) and their appointed arboriculturist/arborist, should be submitted to Cornwall Council planning service, care of the Case Officer.
5. In the interest of timeliness, I would recommend these proposals be accepted by the LPA as an amendment to the original specification that was submitted in support of PA22/00364; this case remains undetermined.
6. A “fast-track” consultation with the Parish Council and Forestry Officer should be undertaken (if possible and in compliance with planning legislation)
7. Any approval/refusal, including conditions applied to any consented works should be issued promptly once a determination has been made.
8. Subject to the reasonable collaboration of all parties, I would expect the above process to facilitate as swift a conclusion to the matter as possible enabling consented works to be commissioned and undertaken without unreasonable delay. Any agreed actionable matters should be assigned to the appropriate party and a recommended timeline recorded. A collaborative and successful meeting took place as planned and the agreed actions are set out below, along with an updated timetable in red.
1. Following confirmation of the TPO area, an exception notice is only required for the felling of the Ash tree T807. SCCIC to progress this without further delay. An exception notice was submitted on Monday 8th August reference PA22/01398/PREAPP. Given that all parties present accepted that this tree is dead, a positive decision on this application will be issued today which will enable the felling to proceed.
2. TreeWise to submit final specification in line with the requirements of their client (Sailors Creek CIC) and, where acceptable, in line with the advice and guidance provided by CC Forestry Officer. Treewise to confirm timeframe for this. An updated specification was received from Treewise on Monday 8th August.
3. have scheduled a meeting to specifically provide their consultation on this application in a timely fashion. to confirm date. We are currently awaiting a confirmed date from
4. Upon receipt of final specification, Cornwall Council to expedite internal consultation process without delay, with consent to be issued upon completion of this process. to confirm timeframe for this. Consultation requests have been sent to and to the Tree Officer on Tuesday 9th August
2022. Assuming both parties will respond positively and swiftly, a decision on the application should be made well before the end of this month. I trust that this demonstrates that the Council has taken positive steps to progress this matter whilst complying with our duty to ensure that works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order are justified to the necessary standards. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information. Kind Regards, Service Director for Planning & Housing (Chief Planning Officer) | Cornwall Council louise.wood@cornwall.gov.uk | Tel: 01872 322222 TR1 1XU
CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email which was sent from outside of Cornwall Council's network. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe. Do not provide any login or password details if requested. Dear Chief Planning Officer, Cornwall Council Re: Paul John Welch, deceased - DOB: 24/04/1967 Our case reference: 3949493 Please find attached a letter from Mr Andrew Cox and Regulation 28 report for your attention. Kind regards,
1. I would recommend an agreement be reached for a systematic approach to inspection of the trees and the risk they pose. The trees should be considered by the appointed specialist in line with industry recognised tree inspection procedures (E.g. VTA) and where appropriate/necessary, a recognised tree risk management framework (QTRA, VALID, etc.) It is imperative that the surveyed evidence and risk assessment provides clear and convincing justification for any tree management proposals, proportionally to the magnitude of proposed works.
2. This review of the tree asset will enable a revised set of tree work specifications to be drawn up by the applicants appointed arborist/arboriculturist.
3. This assessment/report must be in line with industry best practices and specify works that represent a proportional and well evidenced response to the condition of the trees and the assessed risk they pose, while considering their amenity value and long-term contribution to the local landscape.
4. These proposals, including any replanting measures, once finalised to the satisfaction of the applicant (SC CIC) and their appointed arboriculturist/arborist, should be submitted to Cornwall Council planning service, care of the Case Officer.
5. In the interest of timeliness, I would recommend these proposals be accepted by the LPA as an amendment to the original specification that was submitted in support of PA22/00364; this case remains undetermined.
6. A “fast-track” consultation with the Parish Council and Forestry Officer should be undertaken (if possible and in compliance with planning legislation)
7. Any approval/refusal, including conditions applied to any consented works should be issued promptly once a determination has been made.
8. Subject to the reasonable collaboration of all parties, I would expect the above process to facilitate as swift a conclusion to the matter as possible enabling consented works to be commissioned and undertaken without unreasonable delay. Any agreed actionable matters should be assigned to the appropriate party and a recommended timeline recorded. A collaborative and successful meeting took place as planned and the agreed actions are set out below, along with an updated timetable in red.
1. Following confirmation of the TPO area, an exception notice is only required for the felling of the Ash tree T807. SCCIC to progress this without further delay. An exception notice was submitted on Monday 8th August reference PA22/01398/PREAPP. Given that all parties present accepted that this tree is dead, a positive decision on this application will be issued today which will enable the felling to proceed.
2. TreeWise to submit final specification in line with the requirements of their client (Sailors Creek CIC) and, where acceptable, in line with the advice and guidance provided by CC Forestry Officer. Treewise to confirm timeframe for this. An updated specification was received from Treewise on Monday 8th August.
3. have scheduled a meeting to specifically provide their consultation on this application in a timely fashion. to confirm date. We are currently awaiting a confirmed date from
4. Upon receipt of final specification, Cornwall Council to expedite internal consultation process without delay, with consent to be issued upon completion of this process. to confirm timeframe for this. Consultation requests have been sent to and to the Tree Officer on Tuesday 9th August
2022. Assuming both parties will respond positively and swiftly, a decision on the application should be made well before the end of this month. I trust that this demonstrates that the Council has taken positive steps to progress this matter whilst complying with our duty to ensure that works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order are justified to the necessary standards. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information. Kind Regards, Service Director for Planning & Housing (Chief Planning Officer) | Cornwall Council louise.wood@cornwall.gov.uk | Tel: 01872 322222 TR1 1XU
CAUTION: This is an EXTERNAL email which was sent from outside of Cornwall Council's network. Do not click links, open attachments, or reply unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe. Do not provide any login or password details if requested. Dear Chief Planning Officer, Cornwall Council Re: Paul John Welch, deceased - DOB: 24/04/1967 Our case reference: 3949493 Please find attached a letter from Mr Andrew Cox and Regulation 28 report for your attention. Kind regards,
Sailors Creek CIC has implemented several safety measures, including distributing warning letters and safety notices, removing most mooring ropes from trees, adapting their risk assessment, and introducing a temporary system for boat positioning. They also plan a long-term mooring solution, replanting, and will develop a tree management plan by end of September 2022.
AI summary
View full response
Dear Mr Cox, Following the Regulation 28 Report issued 15 June 2022, and received 29 June 2022 please find our response below: Actions taken: 05 July 2022 - Letters hand delivered and attached to the boats of
05 July 2022 - Laminated safety notices posted around Sailors Creek and digitally on Sailors Creek CIC website. Emailed to all tenants and members. 31 July 2022 - Majority of mooring ropes removed from trees to the new mooring chain established along the shoreline. 01 August 2022 - Site meeting on the beach at Sailors Creek attended by all concerned parties:
- (Trefusis Estate)
- (Trefusis Estate)
- (Cornwall Council Planning)
- (Cornwall Council Forestry)
- (Mylor Parish Council)
- (TreeWise Cornwall)
- (Sailors Creek CIC)
- (Sailors Creek CIC)
- (Sailors Creek CIC) This meeting was extremely positive: productive and consensus driven. 02 August 2022 - Sailors Creek CIC risk assessment and safety brief adapted for staff and volunteers. ℅ Brain of Brian, Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
Sailors Creek CIC is a registered Community Interest Company #10959484
Sailors Creek CIC REGENERATION Following site meeting Sailors Creek CIC actions from (Forestry Officer) circulated notes:
1. Following confirmation of the TPO area, an exception notice is only required for the felling of the Ash tree T807. SCCIC to progress this without further delay. Submitted by Sailors Creek CIC 08/08/22 and granted 09/08/22. The dead elms outside TPO to be safely removed, all before the end of September
2022.
2. TreeWise to submit final specification in line with the requirements of their client (Sailors Creek CIC) and, where acceptable, in line with the advice and guidance provided by CC Forestry Officer. Treewise to confirm the time frame for this. Updated 08/08/22, SCCIC seeking advice from erosion engineers : T800, arborists recommend pollarding of undercut Oak tree unless engineers recommend removal. All tree works will be conducted this winter.
3. Mylor Parish Council have scheduled an extraordinary meeting to specifically provide their consultation on this application in a timely fashion. to confirm the date.
4. Upon receipt of final specification, Cornwall Council to expedite internal consultation process without delay, with consent to be issued upon completion of this process. to confirm the timeframe for this. writes: “as soon as I’ve received receipt of the final specifications and is in agreement with the proposed tree works, I shall proceed with the determination of the application asap in a positive manner” Further actions:
5. It was agreed that Sailors Creek CIC should find a method of positioning moored boats further into the creek away from the area overhung by trees. A temporary system using the mussel frames has been implemented as of 08/08/22. A long term mooring access solution is being developed for implementation in 2023.
6. Proposed redirection of footpath and subsequent new planting welcomed by all. Species recommended included Sessile Oak, with an understory of Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Hazel. Sailors Creek CIC contacted Public Rights of Way (Cormac) 09/08/22 re: ongoing concerns that footpath remains open.
7. It was agreed that replanting and planning for a second line of trees further inland is an excellent next step with regard to managed retreat/ increased biodiversity/ stabilisation of the bank. Planting to begin Winter 2022/23.
8. It was agreed that Sailors Creek would develop a tree management plan including professional tree surveys and periodic inspection by Sailors Creek CIC. This tree management plan will be available online at sailorscreekcic.org by the end of September 2022. ℅ Brain of Brian, Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
Sailors Creek CIC is a registered Community Interest Company #10959484
Sailors Creek CIC REGENERATION
9. It was agreed the mooring chain system provides a welcome alternative to tying to the shoreline trees. Sailors Creek CIC to complete the mooring chain along the length of the beach. Remaining mooring ropes to be removed from trees to the mooring chain along the shoreline once it is complete by the end of
2022.
05 July 2022 - Laminated safety notices posted around Sailors Creek and digitally on Sailors Creek CIC website. Emailed to all tenants and members. 31 July 2022 - Majority of mooring ropes removed from trees to the new mooring chain established along the shoreline. 01 August 2022 - Site meeting on the beach at Sailors Creek attended by all concerned parties:
- (Trefusis Estate)
- (Trefusis Estate)
- (Cornwall Council Planning)
- (Cornwall Council Forestry)
- (Mylor Parish Council)
- (TreeWise Cornwall)
- (Sailors Creek CIC)
- (Sailors Creek CIC)
- (Sailors Creek CIC) This meeting was extremely positive: productive and consensus driven. 02 August 2022 - Sailors Creek CIC risk assessment and safety brief adapted for staff and volunteers. ℅ Brain of Brian, Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
Sailors Creek CIC is a registered Community Interest Company #10959484
Sailors Creek CIC REGENERATION Following site meeting Sailors Creek CIC actions from (Forestry Officer) circulated notes:
1. Following confirmation of the TPO area, an exception notice is only required for the felling of the Ash tree T807. SCCIC to progress this without further delay. Submitted by Sailors Creek CIC 08/08/22 and granted 09/08/22. The dead elms outside TPO to be safely removed, all before the end of September
2022.
2. TreeWise to submit final specification in line with the requirements of their client (Sailors Creek CIC) and, where acceptable, in line with the advice and guidance provided by CC Forestry Officer. Treewise to confirm the time frame for this. Updated 08/08/22, SCCIC seeking advice from erosion engineers : T800, arborists recommend pollarding of undercut Oak tree unless engineers recommend removal. All tree works will be conducted this winter.
3. Mylor Parish Council have scheduled an extraordinary meeting to specifically provide their consultation on this application in a timely fashion. to confirm the date.
4. Upon receipt of final specification, Cornwall Council to expedite internal consultation process without delay, with consent to be issued upon completion of this process. to confirm the timeframe for this. writes: “as soon as I’ve received receipt of the final specifications and is in agreement with the proposed tree works, I shall proceed with the determination of the application asap in a positive manner” Further actions:
5. It was agreed that Sailors Creek CIC should find a method of positioning moored boats further into the creek away from the area overhung by trees. A temporary system using the mussel frames has been implemented as of 08/08/22. A long term mooring access solution is being developed for implementation in 2023.
6. Proposed redirection of footpath and subsequent new planting welcomed by all. Species recommended included Sessile Oak, with an understory of Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Hazel. Sailors Creek CIC contacted Public Rights of Way (Cormac) 09/08/22 re: ongoing concerns that footpath remains open.
7. It was agreed that replanting and planning for a second line of trees further inland is an excellent next step with regard to managed retreat/ increased biodiversity/ stabilisation of the bank. Planting to begin Winter 2022/23.
8. It was agreed that Sailors Creek would develop a tree management plan including professional tree surveys and periodic inspection by Sailors Creek CIC. This tree management plan will be available online at sailorscreekcic.org by the end of September 2022. ℅ Brain of Brian, Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8FG
Sailors Creek CIC is a registered Community Interest Company #10959484
Sailors Creek CIC REGENERATION
9. It was agreed the mooring chain system provides a welcome alternative to tying to the shoreline trees. Sailors Creek CIC to complete the mooring chain along the length of the beach. Remaining mooring ropes to be removed from trees to the mooring chain along the shoreline once it is complete by the end of
2022.
Action Should Be Taken
Please re-consider the planning application in respect of the remedial works recommended on the trees aligning Sailors Creek.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 7/6/22, I concluded an inquest into the death of Paul John Welch aged 53 who died on 2/1/21. . The medical cause of death was recorded as: 1a) Massive head injury I recorded a Conclusion of an Accidental Death.
Circumstances of the Death
While walking with his daughter along the foreshore at Sailors Creek, near Flushing in Cornwall on 2/1/21, Mr Welch was struck by an overhanging tree that fell out of an embankment. He suffered a serious head injury and died at the scene. The landowner had previously commissioned tree surveys to assess the risk caused by trees within striking distance of highways and footpaths in the area. Through oversight, the trees aligning Sailors Creek had been omitted from the surveys. Subsequent to the incident, the omitted trees were surveyed by at Treewise at the request of Sailors Creek CIC. A number of recommendations were made to trim and thin various trees. The trees are subject to a Tree Preservation Order. An application has been made to Cornwall Council for authority to carry out the recommended works. The inquest was advised that Mylor Parish Council has objected to the works being done and no action has been taken. The inquest heard that two individuals, and , remain in Sailors Creek without lawful permission to do so. From time to time, those individuals access the foreshore where the incident involving Mr Welch occurred. Other members of the public are able also to gain access to the foreshore. Unless and until the recommended works have been carried out, there is an obvious risk to the safety of these individuals and members of the public.
Copies Sent To
. I have also sent the report to and for their information
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.