68 Ernest Road Hornchurch RM11 3JW

This site has had 2 applications since 2026: 2 approved, 0 refused.

• T0063.26 Granted

  68 Ernest Road Hornchurch RM11 3JW

  Holm Oak is located in the back garden and is very close to the rear of the house. The crown is almost touching the windows on the first floor and the guttering and soffits above. We are unable to open the windows of the bedroom closet to the tree due to its proximity and the risk of squirrels and birds entering. The tree's roots are causing considerable damage to the fencing and pavement and the majority of the tree crown overhangs beyond the boundary onto the public footpath and Herbert Road. I am concerned that high sided vehicles will be damaged by the tree. As it is an evergreen tree we do not get the usual autumn leaf fall, instead the leaf fall begins from late May through until mid August carpeting the grass making half of our garden inaccessible for use by our children unless clearing the leaves first. The tree is heavily infested with leaf minor that the tree officer noted at his last visit some years ago and resulting leaf drop has only worsened as the infestation worsens. We can fill an entire green wheelie bin on a weekly basis with tiny leaves just from this tree which makes the garden practically unusable at the very time the garden should be utilised the most. The fallen leaves on the roadside litter the road for quite some distance and aren't collected by the council sweeping machines as per the usual autumn process and so can sit in the gutters for prolonged periods of time. Given the extreme dry weather of recent years this is not ideal and is a potential fire hazard. I am finding it increasing difficult to keep up with the maintenance of the tree.The incredibly thick canopy prevents light from penetrating causing excessive shading and preventing rainfall from reaching any plants or grass beneath it. During high winds the proximity of the tree to the house leaves us particularly vulnerable and we often have branches fall . That situation isn't set to improve as climate change accelerates. As it is an evergreen tree the canopy is permanently full we were very concerned the tree might fall either onto our home or onto the road during high winds or storms. Both outcomes would be horrendous. The risk is greater in the winter with the ground wet and the full canopy acting like a sail. I would like to have the tree cut back, crown reduced by 5m and lifted by 3m and thinned removing all dead wood in the process, as previously granted on two occasions. The lower section of the roadside canopy was cut back last year by a council workforce but this has left the crown unbalanced and unattractive and a council officer visited a few months ago to inform us we had to cut the tree back as it was causing an obstruction. I could only trim back a small section or branched overhanging the pavement which will inevitably grow back again over the summer

  Decided 9 Jul 2026 Trees

1. 9 Apr 2026

   Received by Havering

2. 1 May 2026

   Decision issued: Granted subject to conditions

3. 12 Aug 2026

   Added to PlanIndex

Havering granted permission on 1 May 2026, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within three years or the permission lapses. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.

Applications for works to trees cover protected trees: consent under a tree preservation order, or six weeks notice for trees in a conservation area. More in our guide to planning application types.

• 68 Ernest Road Hornchurch RM11 3JW

  T0063.26 Submitted 6 May 2026 0m away

  Holm Oak is located in the back garden and is very close to the rear of the house. The crown is almost touching the windows on the first floor and the guttering and soffits above. We are unable to open the windows of the bedroom closet to the tree due to its proximity and the risk of squirrels and birds entering. The tree's roots are causing considerable damage to the fencing and pavement and the majority of the tree crown overhangs beyond the boundary onto the public footpath and Herbert Road. I am concerned that high sided vehicles will be damaged by the tree. As it is an evergreen tree we do not get the usual autumn leaf fall, instead the leaf fall begins from late May through until mid August carpeting the grass making half of our garden inaccessible for use by our children unless clearing the leaves first. The tree is heavily infested with leaf minor that the tree officer noted at his last visit some years ago and resulting leaf drop has only worsened as the infestation worsens. We can fill an entire green wheelie bin on a weekly basis with tiny leaves just from this tree which makes the garden practically unusable at the very time the garden should be utilised the most. The fallen leaves on the roadside litter the road for quite some distance and aren't collected by the council sweeping machines as per the usual autumn process and so can sit in the gutters for prolonged periods of time. Given the extreme dry weather of recent years this is not ideal and is a potential fire hazard. I am finding it increasing difficult to keep up with the maintenance of the tree.The incredibly thick canopy prevents light from penetrating causing excessive shading and preventing rainfall from reaching any plants or grass beneath it. During high winds the proximity of the tree to the house leaves us particularly vulnerable and we often have branches fall . That situation isn't set to improve as climate change accelerates. As it is an evergreen tree the canopy is permanently full we were very concerned the tree might fall either onto our home or onto the road during high winds or storms. Both outcomes would be horrendous. The risk is greater in the winter with the ground wet and the full canopy acting like a sail. I would like to have the tree cut back, crown reduced by 5m and lifted by 3m and thinned removing all dead wood in the process, as previously granted on two occasions. The lower section of the roadside canopy was cut back last year by a council workforce but this has left the crown unbalanced and unattractive and a council officer visited a few months ago to inform us we had to cut the tree back as it was causing an obstruction. I could only trim back a small section or branched overhanging the pavement which will inevitably grow back again over the summer

  Granted Trees 6 docs

• The Fold 54A Herbert Road Hornchurch RM11 3LJ

  D0555.25 103m away

  100% historically approved

  Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed replacement rear sauna/gym/spa/wc outbuilding for incidental use to the main house

  Awaiting decision

• 52 Herbert Road Hornchurch RM11 3LJ

  D0191.26 Submitted 5 May 2026 103m away

  Certificate of Lawfulness for use of single residential dwelling to supported living for up to two adults with carers

  Granted Outline 8 docs
  Domestic

• The Fold, 54A Herbert Road Hornchurch RM11 3LJ

  P1376.25 Submitted 23 Oct 2025 103m away

  Variation of condition No.2 (approved plans) of planning permission P0702.25 dated 16/10/2025 to amend fenestration design/alterations and removal of roof lanterns from rear extension (Construction of two storey front extension, single storey rear extension with roof terrace, conversion of existing integral garage to form habitable room and fenestration alterations).

  Granted Full applications Extension Windows or glazing 6 docs
  Small domestic

• 36 HERBERT ROAD HORNCHURCH RM11 3LJ

  P0917.22 Submitted 7 Jun 2022 103m away

  Proposed new boundary railings with new gates and entrance

  Granted Full applications 9 docs

• 40 Herbert Road Hornchurch RM11 3LJ

  P1500.25 Submitted 25 Nov 2025 103m away

  Retention of use as C4 HMO

  Withdrawn Full applications 6 docs

• T0087.26 Granted

  Bower House, Amana Trust Orange Tree Hill Havering-atte-bower Romford RM4 1PB

  Please refer to drawing 11.003 - TREE REMOVAL and Cover Letter Trees Removal

  9 Jul 2026 Trees
• T0114.26 Decided

  19 Balgores Lane Romford RM2 5JT

  T1 - Sycamore Tree, The tree contains major dead branches and limbs and there fore needs a pollard back down to live wood, 6.1 meters which would give the tree a chance to promote new healthy growth so that the tree can re generate. If this dead limbs are not taken out they run the risk of failing and braking off and causing damage to neighbouring properties out buildings.

  24 Aug 2026 Trees
• T0111.26 Decided

  8 Dovetree Court North Hill Drive Romford RM3 7AG

  The tree needs to have some branches cut back, they are very close to the roof, windows and guttering and we do not want to cause any damage to the property. It is an oak tree

  20 Aug 2026 Trees
• T0088.26 Granted

  58 Hall Lane Upminster RM14 1AQ

  Removal of Oak tree due to heavy decline in crown health. Suspected root damage.

  15 Jul 2026 Trees
• T0103.26 Decided

  8 Squirrels Heath Lane Gidea Park Romford RM2 6DS

  Two oak trees at rear of Squirrels Heath Lane address that are very close to side of property at Barnfield Walk. The trees are now close to guttering on property at Barnfield Walk and request a trim back to avoid blocking guttering. This has been approved a few times in the past

  10 Aug 2026 Trees