Planning application
Highwoods Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
T1 and T2: Beech - Due to the shading effect of the woodland behind and foliage above the lower limbs are getting very long and weighted towards the tips which increases the risk of failure in high winds (increased turning moment at attachment point). Permission is sought to laterally reduce these limbs by up to 4m into the pruning points shown in the attached photograph. Pruning to these points will allow the branches to continue to grow from the branching points just inbound of the pruning cuts and should negate the need for further pruning work for years to come.
As published by the council, reference 25/0400/TTPO
Application record
- Reference
- 25/0400/TTPO
- Type
- Works to TPO trees
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Granted Permission
- Received
- 22 Apr 2025
- Validated
- 22 Apr 2025
- Decided
- 5 Sep 2025
- Ward
- Shelford
- Parish
- Stapleford CP
- Decision by
- Tree - Officer (SCDC)
- Postcode
- CB22 5BX
Site history
Applications at this address on the South Cambridgeshire register
This site has had 2 applications since 2025: 1 approved, 1 refused.
-
26/0738/TTPO Refused
Highwoods Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
T1 - Large beech on the edge of the TPO protected wooded area at Highwoods - Fell Reason - The tree has pronounced edge-effect and a heavily asymmetrical crown. 2 large beech to the side of this tree were removed due to being dead but their presence had provided a screen from the wind. Removing them has changed the wind dynamic and the lateral force experienced by the tree. The vast majority of the crown is concentrated into the upper 3rd of the tree which gives a high centre of mass, shifting the centre of gravity out laterally away from the main stem and centre of root-mass, whilst increasing the turning moment exerted on the base of the tree during high winds. The long lateral limb combined with the 'flattened' crown form also increases the torsional force transferred to the stem during high winds, leading to the risk of a torsional fracture and stem failure. There are no appropriate reduction works which will overcome the extent of lean and associated risks, indeed a heavy reduction would leave large wounds which expose the tree to fungal infection and compromised timber strength.
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
22 Apr 2025
Received by South Cambridgeshire
-
5 Sep 2025
Decision issued: Granted Permission
-
12 Sep 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Woodcraft Tree Services Ltd Agent, a tree-works contractor registered in Stamford
Active · incorporated 2014 · Stamford
68 applications on PlanIndex · across 5 councils · 98% granted
Trade members see everything this firm has filed, how it was decided, and get an email the day it files again.
See their track recordDocuments
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
7 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.
Trade members open them from here.
Open the documentsWhat this grant of permission means
South Cambridgeshire granted permission on 5 September 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 500 metres
-
Highwoods Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
T1 - Large beech on the edge of the TPO protected wooded area at Highwoods - Fell Reason - The tree has pronounced edge-effect and a heavily asymmetrical crown. 2 large beech to the side of this tree were removed due to being dead but their presence had provided a screen from the wind. Removing them has changed the wind dynamic and the lateral force experienced by the tree. The vast majority of the crown is concentrated into the upper 3rd of the tree which gives a high centre of mass, shifting the centre of gravity out laterally away from the main stem and centre of root-mass, whilst increasing the turning moment exerted on the base of the tree during high winds. The long lateral limb combined with the 'flattened' crown form also increases the torsional force transferred to the stem during high winds, leading to the risk of a torsional fracture and stem failure. There are no appropriate reduction works which will overcome the extent of lean and associated risks, indeed a heavy reduction would leave large wounds which expose the tree to fungal infection and compromised timber strength.
Refused Trees 8 docs -
Longacre Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
S73 to vary conditions 2 (Approved plans) and 3 (Materials) of planning permission 25/01551/HFUL (Proposed two storey rear (north west elevation ) gabled extension. New matching bay window to the front (south east) elevation. New first floor window on side elevation) relocation of kitchen into single storey space, increase in the ridge height by around 300mm above the existing, alteration and reduction to the window and door openings on north-west, south-east and north-east elevations, clad the single storey in timber cladding to match the rear single storey garden studio and increase in the insulation in the walls and removal of the existing tiles and replace with slate to match the rear single storey garden studio.
Granted Amendments Extension Roofing +1 15 docsSmall domestic -
Land At Highwoods Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
38% historically approved · decision due ~14 Jul
Submission of details required by conditions 3 (surface water drainage), 4 (arboricultural method statement and tree protection plan), 6 (construction ecological management plan), 7 (ecological enhancement scheme), 8 (artificial lighting scheme), 10 (hard and soft landscape works), 11 (external materials) and 12 (biodiversity net gain plan) of planning permission 26/00646/FUL
Awaiting decision Conditions Trees 19 docs -
Chalk Hill Haverhill Road Stapleford Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
Single storey rear extension
Refused Householder Extension 17 docsSmall domestic -
The Towers Hinton Way Great Shelford CB22 5AN
Submission of details required by condition 5 (Fenestration details) of listed building consent S/2795/19/LB
Decided Conditions Windows or glazing 10 docs -
The House On The Hill Hinton Way Great Shelford Cambridgeshire CB22 5AN
Retrospective change of use from agricultural building to ancillary domestic annex to House on the Hill with elevational alterations.
Withdrawn Full applications 20 docs
Other tree works applications
In South Cambridgeshire
-
26/0846/TTPO Refused
Recreation Ground, Tennis Courts Gog Magog Way Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5BX
T25 - Beech - Reduce the height of the tree by approximately 2 metres and reduce the lateral spread by approximately 2 metres through the selective shortening of suitable branch growth, whilst retaining the tree's natural form and main crown framework. Reason - The works are recommended to reduce end weight on the lateral limbs and help mitigate the risk of branch failure associated with summer branch drop. The tree is situated within a public area adjacent to the highway, where there is a significant risk to pedestrians and passing vehicles should branch failure occur. 3x limbs have failed causing significant damage to the SW side of the tree.
-
26/0788/TTCA Granted
1 Burrell Way Balsham Cambridgeshire CB21 4DY
T1. Reduce Hornbeam in rear garden by 1 metre T2. Crown thin by 20% Birch tree situated in rear garden. T3. Reduce branches to provide 2 metres clearance on Acacia tree over summer house. T4. Crown thin by 20 % Birch tree situated in garden at the front of property.
-
26/0789/TTCA Granted
3B The Grip Linton Cambridgeshire CB21 4NR
Pollard Sycamore tree to reduce in size 4 metres all round.
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26/0842/TTCA Granted
38 High Street Grantchester Cambridgeshire CB3 9NF
t1 - Robina - Fell to allow more light into property
-
26/0849/TTPO Granted
45 Mingle Lane Stapleford Cambridgeshire CB22 5SY
T1 - Ash - Remove to ground level. Reason - Ash Dieback is present and is starting to show via the accumulation of dead smaller diameter branches throughout the crown. Alongside the dieback Inonotus is present on a secondary limb which extends towards the garage of 45 Mingle Lane. Another suspected area of fungal fruiting activity can be seen on an old pruning point at approximately 7 metres on the main leader. Throughout the crown structure there are multiple cavities, details from the arborist has confirmed that the upper section where the cavities are located significant hollowing has started to occur. At approximately 7 metres the main leader divides into two main leaders with woodpecker holes located at 10 metres. This area has been subject to an aerial inspection by the arborist and this section has deemed to be compromised due to the level of dysfunction.