Planning application
26/01047/TPO
20 Abinger Mews W9 3SP
Proposal
X1 Silver birch: Fell As detailed within the accompanying arboricultural and engineering evidence, the tree is situated approximately 1.8 metres from the property and is exhibiting significant surface rooting typical of Betula pendula. The shallow root system has caused measurable deformation of the tarmacadam driveway, including uplift, cracking, sub base distortion and surface delamination. The independent hard surface and drainage assessment confirms that reinstatement of the driveway to compliant drainage gradients cannot be achieved without excavation within the tree?s root protection area. Due to the garage threshold being set lower than the driveway level, regrading without root removal would create unacceptable flood risk. Pruning has been considered but is not a viable long term solution. Birch species tolerate reduction poorly and significant pruning would accelerate physiological decline without addressing the underlying root conflict. Given the constrained rooting environment, ongoing hard surface displacement and drainage implications, removal and replacement is considered the only sustainable long term solution. We propose to replace the tree with a suitable specimen of approximately 18 to 20 cm e girth, to be positioned appropriately within the site to avoid recurrence of structural conflict while maintaining amenity value. We respectfully request that the application be approved in light of the enclosed technical evidence.
As published by the council, reference 26/01047/TPO
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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18 Feb 2026
Received by Westminster
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21 Jul 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 Westminster 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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26/01073/TDD Awaiting decision
22 Abinger Mews W9 3SP
1 x Cherry (front): fell
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26/00600/TPO Granted
9 Abinger Mews W9 3SP
1 x whitebeam (T1): Fell 1 x whitebeam (T2): Reduce by approx 1.5m from the height and width
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26/02757/TPO Awaiting decision
8 Abinger Mews W9 3SP
T2 Sorbus (Rowan): Fell to ground level The proposed removal is justified on arboricultural grounds due to the presence of a decay causing fungus affecting the structural integrity of the tree. Retention would present an unacceptable level of risk in its current location.
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26/02314/FULL Awaiting decision
178 Shirland Road London W9 3JE
Reinstate stairs to front of property to have external access to basement commercial area and small infill extension to rear.
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26/01363/FULL Awaiting decision
178 Shirland Road London W9 3JE
Use of basement floor as a flat (Class C3), creation of lightwell with stairs and railings to front elevation and infill extension at rear basement level.
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25/06568/OUT Awaiting decision
5 Lanhill Road London W9 2BP
Use of maisonette on the first and second floors as two self contained units (one flat on the first floor and another flat on the second floor extending upwards into vacant loft space); use of existing rear basement and ground floor extension to replicate adjoining extension of 3 Lanhill Road incorporating new rooms into first and second floor flat levels with roof terrace above; and internal reconstruction works.
Other trees applications
In Westminster
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26/04965/TPO Awaiting decision
St Augustines Vicarage Kilburn Park Road London NW6 5XB
3 x Lime - Crown reduce all new growth back to the previous reduction points (approx. 1.8m height and 1.5m spread). Remove trunk and basal growth. 3 x London Plane - Remove trunk growth, crown thin by 10% and remove dead wood. Crown lift long pendulous growth to a height of 6.0m from ground level. Maintenance works in line with good arboricultural practice
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26/04918/TCA Awaiting decision
29 - 31 Hill Street London W1J 5LS
T1 (Aesculus sp.) - laterally crown reduce by 1.0-1.5m as identified by the red lines shown on T1-SK1 and T1-SK2; and T2 (Pyrus calleryana) laterally crown reduce by 1.5m as identified by the red line shown on T2-SK1. Measured pruning extents to supplement the aforementioned sketches are shown on the 260675-TMA-XX-DR-AP-2300-P00 and 260675-TMA-XX-DR-AP-2400-P00 plans, which show the site in its existing and approved contexts respectively. The pruning to the aforementioned 2no. trees is required, in order to facilitate the installation of a scaffold frame around the existing building at the Site, which is required in order to facilitate the implementation of Full Planning Permission 25/01006/FULL ('the Permission'). In determining the Permission, no arboricultural information was submitted to facilitate its determination; and no conditions require the provision of tree-related information. However, the specified pruning is required to facilitate the implementation of the Permission, hence this Section 211 Notification. For the avoidance of doubt, according to the Delegated Report related to the Permission, the Arboricultural Officers were not a consultee. This Section 211 Notification is therefore submitted to regularise the required pruning to the affected 2no. trees in the only known manner that is feasible relative to the conditional elements of the Permission. The red line planning boundary is shown on all of the plans submitted to this Section 211 Notification; data related to both surveyed trees is also included in the submitted schedule (that uses the BS 5837:2012 methodology).
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26/04928/TCA Awaiting decision
3 Acacia Place NW8 6AJ
Fell willow-leaved pear T3 and Chusan palm T11. Additionally, the dead birch T2 is to be felled under the 5-day dead, diseased, dangerous exemption. The pear T3 is wrapped around the dead T2 for support and thus cannot be retained.
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26/04937/TCA Awaiting decision
18 Greville Place London NW6 5JH
T7 wild cherry 10 350 Remove; grind out stump to 300mm below ground level
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26/04938/TPO Awaiting decision
11 Cavendish Avenue London NW8 9JD
Tree B Common Lime- Pare around damage to the bark. Remove splintered loose sapwood. Reduce affected stem to about 12m +GL) Preserve all side growth. Tree C Common Lime- Pare around damage to the bark. Remove broken extremity to branch arising at about 8m+GL; cut back to sound growth.