FOI release

Environmental Information Request – Tree Removal on Osney Lane (OX1 1NN)

Case reference EIR2025/00005

Received 8 May 2025

Published 21 May 2025

Request

I am submitting this request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). On 26 March 2025, I submitted a Freedom of Information request to Oxford City Council regarding the removal of two trees on Osney Lane, in front of Cherwell House (OX1 1NN), a site within a designated Conservation Area. The Council’s response was incomplete and did not include any documentation showing permission, justification, or contractor involvement. Following up with a formal EIR request on 28 April 2025, the Council replied on 7 May 2025, stating that it held no further information and suggested that I direct my request to Oxford Direct Services, as the contractor potentially responsible for carrying out the tree removal. In light of this, I am now requesting all environmental information held by Oxford Direct Services in relation to the removal of the tree on Osney Lane (OX1 1NN), including: - Any instructions, work orders, or correspondence (internal or external) related to the tree removal; - Any records indicating which body or officer authorised the removal and under what legal or contractual authority; - Any documentation of environmental or arboricultural assessments prior to removal; - Any photographic records taken before, during, or after the tree’s removal; - Any health and safety, planning, or site assessment documentation related to the work; - Any communications with Oxford City Council or Oxfordshire County Council about this removal. If Oxford Direct Services holds no relevant information, please confirm this formally under Regulation 12(4)(a) of the EIR, with reasons.

Response

Please see attached as requested.

 

Please be aware we have applied redactions to our response under the exemption: Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. This exemption has been applied to disclosure where the requested information constitutes personal data and its disclosure would breach any of the data protection principles set out in the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018

Documents

• HMPE - Osney & St Thomas 2278 (redacted).pdf (4.2 MB)
• ODS Tree Service - Planned Tree Works in Your Area - LOT 7 HMPE trees (redacted).pdf (600.1 KB)
• Osney Lane - Single tree (352000) - Tree Survey - Inspecton History (redacted).pdf (930.0 KB)
• RE Lost cherry tree on land south of 41 Mill Street and north of Osney Cemetery (redacted).pdf (3.4 MB)
• RE Mill St email (redacted).pdf (372.7 KB)

This is Oxford Direct Services' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.