Planning application
Buckingham Palace The Mall London SW1A 1AA
Works: Trees
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
1281 Platanus x hispanica (London Plane) - Fell to ground level due to ground level. 1382 Platanus x hispanica (London Plane) - Overall crown reduction in height and laterally by 3.5m to suitable growth points, to lower the risk of failure associated with decay within the stem. 1457 Fraxinus excelsior 'Jaspidea' (Yellow Ash) - 1. Reduce lateral limb projecting north at 5m by 2.5m (to include sub-lateral originating from approx. 3.5m out on parent limb). 2. Reduce lateral limb projecting south at 6m by 3.5m. 3. Reduce limb projecting south-west by 3m. 4. Reduce upper crown height by up to 3m. Remove - Remove failed, hanging limb at approx. 8m west to prevent risk of complete limb failure. 1460 Sophora japonica (Pagoda Tree) - Fell tree to ground level due to colonisation by Armillaria sp. 1497 Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) - Carry out a crown reduction of height and spread by up to 5m to mitigate wind-induced loading on the main stem. 1509 Davidia involucrata (Handkerchief Tree) - Reduce crown height and spread by up to 2m (reducing to, and retaining, live wood). 1596 Betula pubescens (Downy Birch) - Fell tree to ground level due to poor future prospects.
As published by the council, reference 26/05440/TCA
Application record
- Reference
- 26/05440/TCA
- Category
- Trees
- Status
- Pending
- Received
- 11 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 11 Aug 2026
- Postcode
- SW1A 1AA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
11 Aug 2026
Received by Westminster
-
14 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 6 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 61 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
-
St James's Park The Mall London SW1A 1AA
89% historically approved · decision due ~28 Sep
Details of the proposed re-carving works; pursuant to condition 3 of Listed Building Consent dated 17th July 2026 (RN 26/03399/LBC)
Awaiting decision -
Buckingham Palace The Mall London SW1A 1AA
100% historically approved · decision due ~6 Oct
68 Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) - Reduce lateral spread of the crown to the west to allow 1.5m clearance from camera and light column. 1255 Platanus x hispanica (London Plane) - Carry out tip-reduction of lateral limb projecting north at 12m by 3m to mitigate risk of failure associated with presence of Inonotus hispidus. Carry out a crown reduction of up to 3m in height and spread to reduce wind-loading stresses on the main stem at 8m and at 16m. Remove dead stub at 16m. 1294 Robinia pseudoacacia (False Acacia) - Reduce crown to historic pollard points at approx. 9m to mitigate risk of failure of the main stem. 1341 Sorbus latifolia (Broad-leaved Whitebeam) - Reduce the crown in height by up to 3m with a lateral reduction of 1.5m to 2m, to lower the risk of failure associated with decay near the main stem union. 1571 Platanus x hispanica (London Plane) - Reduce the crown in height by 5m, with a lateral reduction of 2.5 to 4m to reduce the likelihood of failure due to the discoverable decay within the union area and to allow clearance from adjacent lamp column.
Awaiting decision Trees -
Buckingham Palace The Mall London SW1A 1AA
100% historically approved · decision due ~6 Oct
372 Prunus sargentii (Sargent's Cherry) - Remove disease material from crown. 395 Ilex x altaclarensis 'Golden King' (Variegated Holly) Prune - Reduce crown in height by 4m and laterally by 2m to reduce likelihood of failure of root plate. 604 Populus X canadensis (Hybrid Poplar) - Fell tree due to potential root decay as a result of honey fungus, indicated by the sparse crown and rhizomorphs. 830 Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) - Remove partially failed branch at 4m. 1014 Malus floribunda (Japanese Crab) - Fell recently failed tree. 1377 Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) - Cut back 1 number limb toward the east 2m back from security fence. 1428 Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) - Reduce the lateral spread of the crown to the west to allow 1.5m clearance from lamp column and remove hanging branch. 1512 Morus nigra (Black Mulberry) Reduce the lateral spread of the crown by 1.5m to the north and 3.5m to the east. 1592 Gymnocladus dioica (Kentucky coffee tree). Remove partially failed branch at approx 8m to the west. 1619 Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut) - Fell tree standing dead tree. 1668 Platanus x hispanica (London Plane) Reduce 2no. over-extended limbs at 6m and 8m projecting north by up to 2.5m to reduce the likelihood of failure. 3493 Species not known (Unknown) - Fell and replanted with a honey fungus tolerant species.
Awaiting decision TreesSmall domestic -
St James's Park The Mall London SW1A 1AA
89% historically approved · decision due ~15 Oct
Details of the structural survey work to the Marlborough Gate pursuant to condition 2(a) (partial) of listed building dated 20 April 2026 (RN:26/00447/LBC).
Decided -
Buckingham Palace The Mall London SW1A 1AA
89% historically approved · decision due ~9 Sep
Details of masonry cleaning pursuant to condition 3 of listed building consent dated 07 March 2026 (RN: 25/05228/LBC)
Awaiting decision -
St James's Park The Mall London SW1A 1AA
85% historically approved · decision due ~20 Oct
Display of non illuminated Christmas Elf on the Shelf sculpture measuring 0.8m X 1.9m from Monday 16th November until Monday 28th December.
Awaiting decision Advertising
Other trees applications
In Westminster
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26/05961/TCA Awaiting decision
34 Marlborough Place London NW8 0PD
Front garden: plum (T1) - fell. Reason: to allow more light into the garden.
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26/05966/TPO Awaiting decision
7 Abbey Road London NW8 9AA
1 x lime (front): Proposed crown reduction: 20%. Thin canopy interior by 10% for light penetration. Clear all branches within 2m of building façade. Selected deadwood removal throughout.Trimming to address encroachment on street light and signage - remove epicormic growth from lower trunk from ground level to crown break at about 4m from ground level.
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26/05927/TCA Awaiting decision
Little Venice Gardens Randolph Road London W9 1AN
Description of Proposed Tree Works Location: Little Venice Gardens, Randolph Road, London, W9 1AN Area: Maida Vale Conservation Area T1 ? Birch (Betula spp.) ? western side of tennis court Located within Little Venice Gardens on the western side of the tennis court when viewed from Randolph Road. Reduce the lateral crown spread by approximately 2m from the tennis-court side, cutting back the overhanging branches to suitable growth points. Maintain a balanced and natural crown form and retain sufficient healthy furnishing growth throughout the remaining crown. T2 ? Birch (Betula spp.) ? western side of tennis court Located adjacent to T1 on the western side of the tennis court when viewed from Randolph Road. Reduce the lateral crown spread by approximately 2m from the tennis-court side, cutting back the overhanging branches to suitable growth points. Maintain a balanced and natural crown form and retain sufficient healthy furnishing growth throughout the remaining crown. T3 ? Prunus ? subhirtella ?Pissardii? (Prunus cerasifera ?Pissardii?) ? rear of No. 19 Located to the rear of No. 19 Randolph Road, adjacent to the tennis courts. Reduce the overall crown by approximately 2.5m, reducing the height and lateral spread evenly throughout the crown to suitable growth points. Maintain the natural form, balance and structural integrity of the tree whilst retaining suitable healthy furnishing growth. General specification: All works are proposed as routine arboricultural maintenance to retain the trees at a suitable size for their location and to manage crown growth extending towards the tennis court. All pruning cuts will be made to suitable growth points in accordance with good arboricultural practice. The works will be carried out sympathetically, retaining the natural form and structural framework of each tree and avoiding unnecessarily large pruning wounds.
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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
16 Westbourne Terrace London W2 3UW
1 x London plane: crown lift low hanging twiggy growth to 6m and cut back from property to give a clearance of 5m.