Tree works at All Saints Church, Birchington
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Thanet Planning Committee on 17 Dec 2025.
The site
The trees are in the public grounds of All Saints Church within the Birchington Conservation Area and have collective high amenity value.
“The trees are situated within the Birchington Conservation Area, situated in the public open grounds of All Saints Church, overlooked by Canterbury Road, Kent Gardens, The Square,and Romney Close. The trees are a mix of species and various ages and sizes. They form an attractive feature, adding positively to the character of the conservation area.”
Officer report
Earlier tree works
Earlier works to trees at the site were recorded in 2019, when no objections were raised.
“Thanet District Council (TDC) records indicate prior works have been carried out on these trees.”
“TCA/TH/19/1412 - Raised No Objections 2 December 2019 6No Alder (T1, T2, T5, T6, T7, T8) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 8No Sycamore (T3, T4, T13, T14, T15, T16, T17, T29) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 4No Cherry(T9, T11, T23, T26) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 1No Poplar (T10) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 3No Yew (T12, T21, T28) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 1No Birch (T18) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 1No Shrub(T19) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 1No Horse Chestnut (T20) - Crown lift to 2.4m, 3No Ash (T22, T24, T25) - Crown…”
Officer report
Why officers supported it
Officers considered the works reasonable management for health and safety, with justified felling and pruning that would not significantly harm the area’s amenity.
“The proposed felling of 3 trees is justified, 1 is dead and 2 are in poor condition, and likely to cause damage. The other proposed works, primarily pruning, are necessary for maintaining public safety and assisting with future assessments. Given that these works are deemed essential for the effective management of the trees and do not significantly harm the amenity value of the site, there is no need to impose a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).”
“Considering the public location of the trees, their proximity to the highway and pavements, and the nature of the proposed works, it is not considered appropriate to impose a TPO. The works are reasonable and well justified to ensure health and safety while maintaining the amenity of the area. It is therefore recommended that Members raise no objection to the proposed works.”
Officer report
What people said
A site notice brought no objections or concerns, and Birchington Parish Council supported the application.
“A site notice was posted near the site, and no letters of objection or concern have been received regarding the proposed works.”
“Birchington Parish Council – Support the application…”
Officer report
The committee decision
The motion to adopt the officer recommendation and raise no objections was carried.
“THAT the officer’s recommendation be adopted, namely:”
“That no objections be raised in respect of the proposed works.’” Upon being put to the vote, the motion was declared CARRIED.”
Minutes
Councillors at the meeting
- Helen CrittendenChairLabour
- Pat MakinsonLabour
- Martin BoydLabour
- Mike GarnerGreen
- David GreenLabour
- Jennifer MatterfaceLabour
- Paul MooreConservative
- Jack PackmanLabour
- Marc RattiganConservative
- Rebecca WingGreen
- Leo BritcherSubstituteLabour
- Corinna HuxleySubstituteLabour
Proposed by Councillor Marc Rattigan, seconded by Councillor Leo Britcher.
Also attending Ruth Duckworth Labour, Phil Fellows Conservative, Heather Keen Labour
Source: Plota analysis of the council's minutes; parties from the council's list of councillors.
Sources
- Thanet Planning Committee minutes, 17 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Thanet's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Thanet Planning Committee
- Council
- Thanet
- Date
- Wednesday 17 December 2025
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Councillors
- 12Labour 8Conservative 2Green 2Show councillors
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Thanet committee decisions →
This committee's year
48 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.