Understanding planning · 13 min read
Planning application documents: what to read first
Understand planning application documents, officer reports and decision notices. Use a reading checklist, document table and worked example to inspect a case.
Council planning record
HOSFORD HOUSE, DEVONSHIRE ROAD, LONDON, SE23 3SU
HOSFORD HOUSE, DEVONSHIRE ROAD, LONDON, SE23 3SU
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View council mapREAR: ONE Sycamore (T1)(ht.14m) FELL. Reason: cracks in the structure are suggested likely caused by the tree's roots, no site investigation reports, to replace with a tree less water demanding further from the house near the end of the rear garden.Informative A: it is unfortunate no recent site investigation has been provided to ensure the felling is justified - soil type, foundation depth, and level monitoring to establish the cause of the cracks in the rear elevation - the submitted engineers letter in 2021 explains site investigation is usual to investigate if a tree is causing seasonal downward movement in summer which recovers slightly in winter/spring, or if movement is caused by a damaged drain which would be steady and not vary with the seasons, or if cracks are caused by the building's conversion into 8x flats, or by historical bomb damage in WW2.Informative B: the proposed replacement tree planting is hugely appreciated and suggest species from the NHBC 4.2.4 low water demand species list such as Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), hornbeam, birch, holly to be planted towards the end of the rear garden away from buildings. Informative C: please create habitat log piles with arisings for wildlife and biodiversity.
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Sign in to view collected details| Document | Published | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Decision noticeDecision · PDF | 31 Dec 2025 | View |
| Tree photoPhotographs | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
| Statement of worksCase Copy Drawings · PDF | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
| Sketch planCase Copy Drawings | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
| Tree location mapCase Copy Drawings | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
| Application formApplication Form · PDF | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
| Cracking inspection letterCase Copy Documents · PDF | 2 Dec 2025 | View |
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Understanding planning · 13 min read
Understand planning application documents, officer reports and decision notices. Use a reading checklist, document table and worked example to inspect a case.
Understanding planning · 13 min read
Understand pending consideration, approved, refused and withdrawn planning applications. Compare status labels and find the documents explaining each outcome.
Understanding planning · 13 min read
Read planning drawings, floor plans, elevations and sections. Use labelled diagrams, a drawing comparison table and revision checks to understand a proposal.