Groundsmans Cottage 101 St Leonards Street West Malling Kent ME19 6PE

Registered 26/00757/TPOC
Council
Date received
23 Apr 2026
Date validated
1 May 2026
Postcode
ME19 6PE

Description

Removal of one tree identified as T5 in attached arboriculture report. As part of planning application ref: TM/23/01665/FL this tree was classified as being an over-mature Ash, having "reached its full life expectancy, being natural decline and of low quality and value" Despite this, we opted to retain the tree as part of a group of three. When removing the existing buildings however, it was found that the condition of this single tree was far worse than thought (full inspection was not possible previously as obscured by the buildings. The base of the tree appears to be badly rotted and potentially dangerous not only to the new building, listed property close by but more importantly to road users. I would like to have this tree removed and replaced with beech hedging and or another tree elsewhere on the site. Standing in Group G2 of the Order

3.5/10
Planning Authority Score
#214 of 282

Tonbridge is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #234 out of 282. 52% of applications have the time limit extended, above the 40% national average. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (95%) than the national average (90%).

Tonbridge decision performance
Based on MHCLG data, 2025
94%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #49 of 282
95%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #87 of 282
53%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (71%) #234 of 282
52%
Extended time limit
Above avg (40%) #227 of 282
86%
Minor dwellings approved
81 decided (1-9 homes)
88%
Major dwellings approved
16 decided (10+ homes)
100%
Change of use approved
6 decided
891
Total decisions
53 refused in 2025