RUTLISH SCHOOL Watery Lane, Wimbledon, Merton, SW20 9AD Data via plota.co.uk

26/TCA/2072 - Tree(s) in a Conservation Area Pending Consideration

Proposal

G1 mixed 1 boundary vegetation clearance undertake selective reduction and clearance of mixed boundary vegetation growing along and encroaching over the black metal boundary fence. Reduce lateral growth from the mixed vegetation by approximately 1–2 metres, pruning back to suitable growth points and, where practicable, to the boundary line. Species within the group include oak, holly, sycamore and elder. Remove the small ash tree within G2 by felling to as close to ground level as reasonably practicable. Reduce the prunus at the end of the boundary to provide approximately 0.5 metres clearance from the fence. Justification for routine maintenance and cut back from pavement large cherry tree lateral pruning reduce the overextended lateral branches of the large cherry tree growing adjacent to the building by approximately 1–2 metres, pruning back to suitable growth points. Undertake lateral pruning only, retaining the overall height of the tree and maintaining a balanced, natural crown form. Provide approximately 3 metres clearance from the building where reasonably practicable, whilst avoiding excessive pruning. Hawthorn and mixed vegetation pruning reduce the hawthorn and associated mixed vegetation growing adjacent to the archway doorway by approximately 2-3 metres. Reduce the top and sides to establish a neat, uniform hedge line and cut back excessive or protruding growth to improve clearance around the archway and doorway. Shape the vegetation evenly whilst retaining suitable screening and a natural appearance. Remove dead, damaged and excessive growth where appropriate. Remove all resulting branches, cuttings and green waste from site and leave the working area clean and tidy upon completion. All pruning works to be carried out in accordance with good arboricultural and horticultural practice. Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
16 Sept 2026
Decision
Expected by 28 Oct 2026

This application is under consideration - no decision has been issued yet. Plota predicts a decision between 8 Nov 2026 and 17 Nov 2026, from Merton's recent tree and landscaping works.

Site constraints 6

John Innes (Merton Park) conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Council document ↗
Archaeological priority area
An assessment or field evaluation may be asked for before ground works.
The council or Historic England considers archaeology likely here. A desk-based assessment, and sometimes trial trenching, can be asked for with the application.
Air quality management area: Merton AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Council record ↗
1 listed building within 150 m of the postcode pin
Nearest: The Manor House (Now Forming Part of the John Innes Ii School), Grade II, about 44 m from the postcode pin
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Historic England ↗
Also on the record
Inside the Merton built-up area; Designated open space about 34 m away.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 23 September 2026. The pin for this application is the centre of its postcode rather than the building, so distances to nearby designations are measured from the postcode and can be out by the width of the postcode area. 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
Merton
Application type
Tree(s) in a Conservation Area
Postcode
SW20 9AD
Received
16 Sept 2026
Validated
16 Sept 2026
Ward
Merton Park
Case officer
Show
Target decision
28 Oct 2026
Decision level
Delegated
Applicant
Show
Agent
GraftinGardeners Ltd
Leaseholder
Show

Decision outlook

Day 19 of the 56-day target. Merton usually decides tree and landscaping works by day 56.

Day 1937 days to the 56-day target
53%decided within 8 weeks
99%approved
467decided in the last year

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

Consultation & key dates

Statutory expiry
28 Oct 2026
Merton
Planning Authority Score
4.5/10
Below average
#173 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Other decisions

Merton ranks #196 out of 296 councils for householder decision speed. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (92%) than the national average (90%).

These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Merton decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
89%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #135 of 296
92%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #158 of 296
57%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #196 of 296
39%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #139 of 296
54%
Minor dwellings approved
82 decided (1-9 homes)
100%
Major dwellings approved
11 decided (10+ homes)
83%
Change of use approved
24 decided
1,079
Total decisions
115 refused in the year to March 2026

Leaseholders: Information produced by HM Land Registry. © Crown copyright 2026. Source: HM Land Registry, UK and overseas companies that own property in England and Wales, September 2026 release.