Planning application
20, Riverdale Road, Twickenham, TW1 2BS
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
T1 - Tree of Heaven – Multi-stemmed, approximately 12m in height with a 6m lateral spread. Proposed Works: Fell to ground level. Reasoning: 1. Safety concerns This tree poses a genuine safety issue. There’s significant decay within the main limbs and an included union around 2.5 m. One of the larger limbs extends directly over a busy public footpath, and there’s a high risk of failure. Removing that limb would leave a large wound, leave the tree unbalanced, and severely reduce its already poor amenity value - effectively making it unsustainable to retain in its current form. 2. Invasive species Tree of Heaven is a recognised invasive non-native species in the UK (listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). It spreads quickly through root suckers and seed, outcompeting native species and reducing biodiversity. Giving this species TPO protection goes against current ecological guidance and local biodiversity objectives. 3. Limited amenity value This particular specimen is small, decayed, and poorly formed. It offers very limited visual or environmental benefit. Based on its condition, I struggle to see how it achieved a TEMPO score high enough to justify a TPO, and I’d appreciate a copy of the completed assessment form for review.
As published by the council, reference PA25/3914
Application record
- Reference
- PA25/3914
- Type
- Works to Tree/s in Conservation Area
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Granted As published: Raise No objection
- Received
- 29 Oct 2025
- Validated
- 29 Oct 2025
- Decided
- 19 Dec 2025
- Ward
- Twickenham Riverside Ward [TRW]
- Decision by
- Delegated Decision
- Postcode
- TW1 2BS
Site history
Applications at this address on the Richmond upon Thames register
This site has had 3 applications since 2019: 2 approved, 0 refused.
-
PA25/2968 Decided
20 Riverdale Road Twickenham TW1 2BS
Tree of Heaven – Multi-stemmed, approximately 12m in height with a 6m lateral spread. Proposed works: Fell to ground level. Reasoning: The tree exhibits a significant included union at approximately 2.5m, with further decay evident around 3m, including woodpecker holes/damage. The brittle nature of Tree of Heaven increases the likelihood of limb or total failure. Given the tree’s close proximity to a public footpath there are genuine safety concerns.
-
19/T0873/TCA Granted
20 Riverdale Road Twickenham TW1 2BS
T1 - Ailanthus - Fell
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
29 Oct 2025
Received by Richmond upon Thames
-
19 Dec 2025
Decision issued: Raise No objection
-
13 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
3 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.
Open the documentsWhat this grant of permission means
Richmond upon Thames granted permission on 19 December 2025, 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.
About tree works applications
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.
Nearby applications
Within 0.3 miles
-
20 Riverdale Road Twickenham TW1 2BS
Tree of Heaven – Multi-stemmed, approximately 12m in height with a 6m lateral spread. Proposed works: Fell to ground level. Reasoning: The tree exhibits a significant included union at approximately 2.5m, with further decay evident around 3m, including woodpecker holes/damage. The brittle nature of Tree of Heaven increases the likelihood of limb or total failure. Given the tree’s close proximity to a public footpath there are genuine safety concerns.
Decided Trees 2 docs -
20 Riverdale Road Twickenham Richmond Upon Thames TW1 2BS
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Granted Householder Extension Roofing +1 14 docsSmall domestic -
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18 Riverdale Road Twickenham Richmond Upon Thames TW1 2BS
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Granted Householder Extension 23 docsSmall domestic -
18 Riverdale Road Twickenham TW1 2BS
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Granted Trees 4 docs -
18 Riverdale Road Twickenham TW1 2BS
Roof extenrsions comprising a side dormer, rear dormer and central dormer set within the roof valley.
Refused Householder Loft or dormer 19 docsDomestic
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