Felling one sycamore at 10 Guy Close, Broadstairs
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Thanet Planning Committee on 14 Jan 2026.
The site
The tree stands beside a home in open space with other trees, but this individual tree has low public amenity value.
“The tree is located adjacent to 10 Guy Close, in an area of open space with several other trees present. As a group the trees would be considered of high amenity value, though this individual tree is small and obscured from public views by more prominent trees. In the context of its location and other nearby trees would be considered of low public amenity value.”
Officer report
Earlier tree work
Earlier consent allowed reductions to the western canopy spreads of several sycamore trees covered by the same order.
“TPO/TH/25/1039 Granted B/TPO/1(1970)W1 - Sycamore trees (T1, T2, T3) - Reduce western canopy spread by 1 to 2m from the tips. - All pruning cuts must be made at suitable secondary branch junctions. - Final pruning cuts must not exceed 50mm in diameter. Sycamore trees (T4, T5)- Reduce western canopy spread by 2 to 3m from the tips. - All pruning cuts must be made at suitable secondary branch junctions. - Final pruning cuts must not exceed 75mm in diameter.”
Officer report
Why officers recommended approval
Officers considered the tree’s condition justified removal because it had low vitality and 90% bark and cambium loss, with limited area-wide impact.
“The Council's Tree Safety and Conservation Manager assessed the site and provided photos of large areas of missing bark, and has noted on the application that the Sycamore has low vitality and 90% loss of bark/cambium death.”
“The condition of this tree justifies its removal. There are many other trees in this area and removal is not considered to have a great negative impact on the character of the area.”
Officer report
Public response
A site notice was posted, no letters were received, and there were no consultations.
“A site notice was posted close to the site. No letter has been received.”
Officer report
The committee vote
Councillor Rusiecki proposed approval, Councillor Matterface seconded it, and the motion was agreed.
“Councillor Rusiecki proposed and Councillor Matterface seconded the officer recommendation to APPROVE the application.”
“When put to the vote the motion was AGREED.”
Minutes
Councillors at the meeting
- Helen CrittendenChairLabour
- Pat MakinsonLabour
- Steve AlbonLabour
- Martin BoydLabour
- Kristian BrightLabour
- Mike GarnerGreen
- Jennifer MatterfaceLabour
- Jack PackmanLabour
- Marc RattiganConservative
- George RusieckiConservative
- Rebecca WingGreen
- Joanne BrightSubstitute for GreenLabour
Also attending Tricia Austin Green, Abi Smith Green
Source: Plota analysis of the council's minutes; parties from the council's list of councillors.
Sources
- Thanet Planning Committee minutes, 14 January 2026
- 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 14 January 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- 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
60 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.