Tree crown lifting at Rochester Drive, Burnley
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Burnley Development Control Committee on 13 Aug 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought crown lifting of three protected Cherry trees, identified as T65, T66 and T67.
“Ward: Lanehead Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Proposal: Application to crown lift three trees (T65, T66 and T67) protected by the Burnley (Marsden Hospital) Tree Preservation Order 1994.”
Officer report
The site and its trees
The trees stand beside central public open space, and their low branches were causing problems for highway and footway users.
“The three Cherry trees are located on the edge of the area of public open space which is in the centre of the site. The trees are in need of some maintenance in order to alleviate problems with regard to low branches causing issues for highway and footway users.”
“The land is owned and maintained by Burnley Borough Council therefore the application has been submitted by Greenspaces and Amenities who will be carrying out the tree work.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the pruning was appropriate maintenance and would provide 5.2-metre highway clearance in line with British Standards.
“The three Cherry trees are in generally good condition but have low branches which are causing an issue for highway and footway users. The proposal consists of the crown lifting to provide the statutory minimum clearance of 5.2m over the highway. All…”
“The proposed pruning is considered to be appropriate maintenance of the trees and will alleviate the issues for highway and footway users.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the application subject to conditions limiting the work, setting a two-year completion period and requiring British Standards.
“That the application be approved subject to conditions.”
“The tree work must be carried out to British Standards.”
Minutes
Sources
- Burnley Development Control Committee minutes, 13 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Burnley'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
- Council
- Burnley
- Date
- Thursday 13 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Burnley committee decisions →
This committee's year
35 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.