Planning application
Westminster Abbey Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PP
Works: Trees
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
The first tree in question is a Cercis canadensis. Over the past three years, its overall health has declined significantly. During the summer of 2025, I discussed my concerns with Barbara Milne, Head of Arboricultural Services at Westminster City Council, who I understand acknowledged the issues relating to the tree?s health and its likely continued decline. In light of this, I would like to seek permission to fell the Cercis canadensis prior to further deterioration, with the intention of replanting a more suitable replacement specimen. Adjacent to the Cercis canadensis is a Sorbus aucuparia. Although this tree is not in as advanced a state of decline, it has shown progressive signs of weakening over recent years. There has been an increasing presence of deadwood and a noticeable reduction in foliage during the growing season. While its condition is not as urgent as that of the Cercis canadensis, I would like to enquire whether it may be appropriate to remove the Sorbus aucuparia concurrently, thereby allowing for coordinated replanting and ensuring the long-term health and suitability of the site.
As published by the council, reference 26/01477/TCA
Application record
- Reference
- 26/01477/TCA
- Type
- Applic. for works to trees in CA
- Status
- Pending
- Received
- 9 Mar 2026
- Validated
- 11 Mar 2026
- Ward
- St James's
- Postcode
- SW1P 3PP
Site history
Applications at this address on the Westminster register
This site has had 3 applications since 2026.
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26/02750/ADFULL Awaiting decision
Westminster Abbey Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PP
Details of Arboricultural Method Statement for the Phase 4 works pursuant to the partial discharge of condition 3 of planning permission dated 16th April 2026 (RN: 25/01820/FULL).
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26/01839/NMA Awaiting decision
Westminster Abbey Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PP
Amendments to planning permission dated 2nd June 2025 (25/01820/FULL) for Variation of Condition 1 of planning permission dated 3 October 2023 (23/05243/FULL) for: Provision of visitor access to the west front of the Westminster Abbey through the construction of an ancillary ticketing building on the north side of the Abbey with associated landscaping works including alterations to boundary railings namely, reduction in the enlargement of the enclosed external area at the Abbey's West Front and retention of areas of existing paving materials and detailed design development for entrance and exit doors to the new Sacristy building.
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
9 Mar 2026
Received by Westminster
-
11 Mar 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
21 Jul 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 6 May 2026, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
Westminster took a median of 91 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
6 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 happens while it is decided
This application is with Westminster for determination, against a statutory target of eight weeks. Over the last year Westminster decided tree works applications in a median of 49 days. More in our guide to how long planning decisions take.
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
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Westminster Abbey Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PP
88% historically approved · decision due ~19 Jun
Details of Arboricultural Method Statement for the Phase 4 works pursuant to the partial discharge of condition 3 of planning permission dated 16th April 2026 (RN: 25/01820/FULL).
Awaiting decision Full applications 3 docs -
Westminster Abbey Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PP
93% historically approved · decision due ~15 May
Amendments to planning permission dated 2nd June 2025 (25/01820/FULL) for Variation of Condition 1 of planning permission dated 3 October 2023 (23/05243/FULL) for: Provision of visitor access to the west front of the Westminster Abbey through the construction of an ancillary ticketing building on the north side of the Abbey with associated landscaping works including alterations to boundary railings namely, reduction in the enlargement of the enclosed external area at the Abbey's West Front and retention of areas of existing paving materials and detailed design development for entrance and exit doors to the new Sacristy building.
Awaiting decision Amendments 9 docs -
The Chapter House Dean's Yard London SW1P 3PA
1 x white mulberry: reduce crown by 2-3m to reduce end weight, pruning back to suitable growth points.
Granted Trees 7 docs -
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208 Randolph Avenue London W9 1PF
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