1 Speer Road Thames Ditton Surrey KT7 0PJ Data via plota.co.uk

2026/1456 - Tree Conservation Area Approved

Proposal

Thames Ditton Conservation Area - T1 - Crab Apple - Remove Crab Apple to ground level. Current dimensions: Height 6m (20ft), crown spread 5.2m (17ft). Reason for works: The Crab Apple is growing in an unsuitable location within a relatively confined garden and has now outgrown the available space. The tree is becoming dominant within the garden, restricting light and competing with surrounding ornamental plants and trees. The rear boundary of the property adjoins a railway corridor containing a substantial belt of mature trees of mixed species. As a result of competition for light from these neighbouring trees, the Crab Apple has developed an asymmetric crown form and is increasingly growing inwards towards the garden. The removal of the Crab Apple will improve the growing conditions for the surrounding vegetation and allow for better management of the garden space. The loss of this individual tree is not considered to have a significant impact on the visual amenity of the area due to the extensive tree cover beyond the rear boundary, which includes a diverse range of mature species such as Ash, Walnut, Cherry and Honey Locust. The proposed works are therefore considered reasonable arboricultural management and will not adversely affect the character or appearance of the locality. Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

Received
16 Jun 2026
Approved
6 Jul 2026

Approved on 6 Jul 2026 · Last checked 12 Sept 2026

Site constraints 1

Also on the record
Inside the West Molesey built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 11 September 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

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Important details

Council
Elmbridge
Application type
Tree Conservation Area
Postcode
KT7 0PJ
Received
16 Jun 2026
Validated
16 Jun 2026
Ward
Thames Ditton Ward
Decision
Raise No Objection
Decision date
6 Jul 2026

How this decision compares

Decided in 20 days from validation, 22 days faster than Elmbridge's median of 42 for tree and landscaping works. Approved, as 77% of tree and landscaping works here are.

96%decided within 8 weeks
77%approved
209decided in the last year

Plota live figures for tree and landscaping works decided by Elmbridge in the last twelve months, from validation. Elmbridge decision record →

Elmbridge
Planning Authority Score
2.6/10
Poor
#247 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Other decisions

Elmbridge ranks #195 out of 296 councils for householder decision speed. Elmbridge is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 79% approved vs 90% nationally.

One of the strictest councils
only 79% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Elmbridge decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
77%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #277 of 296
79%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #281 of 296
57%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #195 of 296
44%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #178 of 296
68%
Minor dwellings approved
195 decided (1-9 homes)
60%
Major dwellings approved
15 decided (10+ homes)
72%
Change of use approved
32 decided
1,358
Total decisions
314 refused in the year to March 2026