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
3 Macdonald Road Lightwater Surrey GU18 5TN
Last published check: 30 Sept 2026, 12:52. Check the council record for more recent changes.
3 Macdonald Road Lightwater Surrey GU18 5TN
This record has no verified map location.
View council mapApplication for tree felling of Silver Birch tree in rear garden of 3 Macdonald Road, Lightwater. Silver Birch tree has grown too large for the garden space with it now hanging over number 5s house, it reaches the fence line to 3A and is almost touching our house. The roots of the tree have raised the ground with some exposed roots making it a trip hazard or it could cause serious injury should someone fall onto the exposed roots. We have a 1 year old who cannot go in the garden due to the trip hazard and falling branches, it is too dangerous for him to play in the garden. The branches on the tree often fall, some are large which are a danger to us as well as would cause damage to cars parked behind our garden fence. The branches hang over our next door neighbours house. The branches touch their roof, if a branch was to fall this would cause extensive damage to their house. The Silver Birch is in the shadow of a large Lime tree which blocks large amounts of light causing the condition of the tree to have diminished which as a result causes the branches to die and fall. Silver Birch trees are known for their high pollen count, our 1 year old son has clear signs of hayfever, often rubbing his eyes, sneezing, running and itchy nose, we have attended the doctors who have said it is likely to be hayfever however they cannot diagnose it as he is too young. It would not be fair or right to let him continue to suffer until he is old enough to be diagnosed when he clearly suffers.We are not against having a tree and would plant another tree in its place which is thinner and has no or low pollen. The type of tree that we would propose in its place is an Acer tree or Liquid Amber tree. The Silver Birch has become very dangerous and causing our son health issues so we request to remove the tree and replace it with a tree which will not be a hazard to people, to buildings as well as to reduce the allergies affecting our son. Attached to this application is a sketch o
Sign in to view all collected council fields and recorded changes.
Sign in to view collected details| Document | Published | Action |
|---|---|---|
| DecisionDecision · PDF | 28 Sept 2023 | View |
| APPLICATION FORM REDACTEDApplication Form · PDF | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| SKETCH PLANPlans | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 1Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 2Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 3Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 4Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 5Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 6Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 8Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 7Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 9Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 10Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 11Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 12Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 13Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 14Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
| PHOTO 15Photo | 14 Aug 2023 | View |
Documents open on the council website. Browse council documents if a link has changed.
Council milestones and published deadlines. A deadline passing does not confirm a decision.
A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.
Council sourceA published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.
Council sourceConditions aren’t listed here. Read the council decision notice for the full decision and conditions.
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.