Tree pruning and management at St Marys Church, Minster, Ramsgate

Summary of planning committee decision

Decided by Thanet Planning Committee on 17 Dec 2025.

TCA/TH/25/1140Approved

What was proposed

The application proposed pruning, repollarding, removing epicormic growth, reducing trees, severing ivy and installing a flexible brace.

“LOCATION: 3no Robina ; (394) Prune by 2m ;(369) Remove epicormic up to 2m ;(368) remove epicormic at base 5no trees 'Lime-Common' ; (401,400,397,396) Repollard, remove epicormic growth at base; (372) remove epicormic at base, 1no Maple-field (388) Prune to clear building by 2m, install flexible brace.”

Officer report

The site and trees

The trees stand in public church grounds within the Minster Conservation Area and collectively have high amenity value.

“The trees are situated within the Minster Conservation Area, situated in the public open grounds of St Marys Church, overlooked by Church Street, Station Road, and Conyngham Road. 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. The trees collectively have high amenity value, though some individual trees within the group would be much lower in amenity value.”

Officer report

Earlier tree works

No prior works had been carried out on the trees.

“Thanet District Council (TDC) records indicate no prior works have been carried out on these trees.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers considered the works necessary for safety and reasonable management, with no significant harm to the conservation area’s amenity.

“Following a professional assessment and survey of the trees in the church grounds by Thanet District Councils Open Spaces Tree Manager, the following works are required to fulfil our duty of care. The proposed works include: Installation of flexible brace - Improve safety Pruning for clearance- where required to avoid conflict with the built environment.”

“The trees on this site contribute significantly to the character and visual appeal of the Minster Conservation Area, providing a natural break from the built environment. Although some trees have lower amenity value, the majority offer substantial visual and ecological benefits. The proposed works, primarily pruning, are necessary for maintaining public safety and assisting with future assessments.”

Officer report

Community response

No objections or concerns were received, while Minster Parish Council supported the application because the works were overdue.

“A site notice was posted near the site, and no letters of objection or concern have been received regarding the proposed works.”

“Minster Parish Council - SUPPORT the application as the trees are long overdue these works.”

Officer report

The committee vote

Councillors proposed and seconded adopting the recommendation, and the motion was carried.

“It was proposed by Councillor Rattigan and seconded by Councillor Britcher:”

“Upon being put to the vote, the motion was declared CARRIED.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee raised no objections to the proposed tree works.

“That no objections be raised in respect of the proposed works.”

Minutes

Councillors at the meeting

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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At the meeting

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)

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.

Every decision by this council's committees →