Planning application
26/01495/TCA
St Michaels Church Knapps Lane Chaffcombe Chard Somerset TA20 4BJ
Proposal
Notification of intent to Fell No. 1 Tree and Carry out Tree Surgery Works to No. 2 Trees within a Conservation Area. T1 - Cedar of Lebanon - Remove the large eastern scaffold limb exhibiting displacement and a developing crack at its union with the main stem. Restrict pedestrian access beneath the affected limb until works have been completed where practicable. Following removal of the eastern limb, undertake a substantial retrenchment reduction throughout the remaining crown. Reduce overall crown height by approximately 8-10m and lateral spread by approximately 4-6m, where suitable pruning points allow and with application of arboricultural judgement. Crown height reduction pruning cuts should generally not exceed 300mm diameter. Lateral spread reduction pruning cuts should generally not exceed 200mm diameter. Retain a compact crown framework and as much viable foliage as practicable. Reduce end-weight and wind loading on retained scaffold limbs whilst maintaining a broadly natural form and the tree's contribution to the churchyard landscape. Final aim should be to achieve a residual crown/stem bias to the south following completion works T2 - Monterey Pine - Remove the elongated southern scaffold limb back towards its point of origin, retaining a substantial stub where necessary to avoid the creation of an excessively large pruning wound at the branch union. Remove associated deadwood greater than 50mm diameter from the crown over areas of regular public access. Monitor the extent of crown dieback, basal cavity development and condition of retained scaffold limbs. Review the need for further retrenchment pruning should decline continue or additional defects become apparent T3 - Chestnut - Fell to near ground level and retain stump as a habitat feature where practicable
As published by the council, reference 26/01495/TCA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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29 Jun 2026
Received by Exmoor National Park
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2 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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Decision
Awaiting decision
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development. Extensions of time are common.
What happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with Exmoor National Park for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About trees applications
How this application type works
Tree applications cover work to protected trees: those under a tree preservation order need consent for pruning or felling, and trees in a conservation area need six weeks written notice before work starts. The council assesses the amenity value of the tree and can refuse consent, approve it with conditions, or in conservation areas make a preservation order in response.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
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23/00252/TCA Granted
Avill House Knapps Lane Chaffcombe Chard Somerset TA20 4AP
Notificaiton of intent to Fell No. 1 Tree within a Conservation Area.
Other trees applications
In Exmoor National Park
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50/26/00050 Granted
Elmsett Hall, Glanville Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4AD
Fell 1 group of 3No. Leylandii (T1) and fell 1No. Leylandii (T2)
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11/26/00067 Granted
Homelane House, Rectory Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2BX
Crown lift 1No. Sycamore (T1) (TPO Ref T1) to create a 4m clearance from side overhanging neighbouring car park. Prune remaining long overextended laterals over neighbouring car park by up to 1.5m to suitable growth points.
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08/26/00044 Granted
The Rosary Nursing Home, Mayfield Drive, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7JQ
Fell 3No. Cypress (T1376, T1377 & T1378) (TPO Ref G3). All other trees shown within the black box on the submitted plan are not covered by TPO.
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38/26/00006 Granted
Castle Court, Fore Street, Othery, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0QS
Reduce crown height of 1No. Walnut (T1) (TPO Ref T1) by approx. 2–3m and lateral spread by approx. 2–4m in accordance with the annotated photograph. The Walnut tree is located within the car park of Castle Court.
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2026/1199/TCA Granted
The Cemetery Waterloo Road Shepton Mallet Somerset BA4 5HE
32.1 - Scots Pine - Fell, 43 - Silver Birch - Fell, 90 - Callery Pear - Clear fallen stem and fell remaining tree, 162 - Silver Birch - Fell, 204 - Common Ash - Fell, 210 - Lawson Cypress - Crown reduction by 6-8m, 211 - Lawson Cypress - Fell.