Planning application
St Pauls Church Bedford Street London WC2E 9ED
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
Rear T1 Tree of Heaven x 1 (Ailanthus altissima) Following a recent limb failure and aerial inspection, the tree has been found to contain multiple cavities, deadwood, failed cable bracing, crossing limbs, and several included unions, together with declining historic pollard points. Due to its condition and its location within a busy public garden, we recommend carrying out a heavy crown reduction beyond the previous pollard points. This will reduce the load on the weakened structure and lower the risk of further branch failure while retaining the tree. Suggested work: Carry out a heavy crown reduction by reducing the scaffold framework approximately 4?6 metres below the existing pollard points to create a new pollard framework. This will remove the majority of the compromised upper crown, including defective unions, declining pollard heads, crossing limbs and deadwood, while significantly reducing end weight and wind loading on the remaining structure. The reduction will also provide the tree with the opportunity to establish a new cycle of vigorous regrowth from lower, more structurally suitable points, allowing the tree to be retained and managed safely through future cyclical pollarding.
As published by the council, reference 26/05332/TCA
Application record
- Reference
- 26/05332/TCA
- Category
- Trees
- Status
- Pending
- Received
- 6 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 6 Aug 2026
- Postcode
- WC2E 9ED
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
6 Aug 2026
Received by Westminster
-
9 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 1 October 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 60 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
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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31 - 33 Bedford Street London WC2E 9ED
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26/05966/TPO Awaiting decision
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26/05927/TCA Awaiting decision
Little Venice Gardens Randolph Road London W9 1AN
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26/05897/TCA Awaiting decision
71 Lothrop Street London W10 4JD
(T1) - Silver Birch(Betula pendula) -reduce crown by 30%(2m) to suitable growth points -reduce lateral branch spread by up to 1.75m to match, shape and balance -crown lift removing lowest inbound branches to main trunk union All works are for routine maintenance.
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26/05878/TPO Decided
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1 x London plane: crown lift low hanging twiggy growth to 6m and cut back from property to give a clearance of 5m.