Merton House, Hambrook Lane, Chilham, CT4 8DJ

Valid NOT/2026/0498
Council
Date received
12 Mar 2026
Date validated
12 Mar 2026
Postcode
CT4 8DJ

Description

T1 - Silver Birch - Fell to ground level - dead (troll.severe.extremely) T2 - Yew - Fell to ground level (fruit.ruby.stylists) G1 - Remove branches overhanging fence from both sides of boundary up to 3m to allow installation of new 6ft fence on north boundary and clear roof of workshop next to T4. G2 - Fell to ground level and root grind area of shrubs to rear of property. T3 - Liquidambar - Remove broken branch (powering.summit.slightly) G3 - Conifer hedge - Fell to ground level. T4 - Ash - Fell to ground level T5 - Spruce - Fell to ground level windblown (decisions.smoke.ballooned) T6 - Bald Cypress - Fell to ground level dead (denser.pinch.decently) T7 - Cherry Fell to ground level dead T8 - Beech - Reduce south-east crown overhanging tennis court from 11m crown spread to 8m to remove interference with tennis court (tree to remain 26m tall) (Current dimensions 26h 7n 11e 10s 6w). T9 - Beech - Reduce north-east crown overhanging tennis court from 10m crown spread to 8m to remove interference with tennis court (tree to remain 26m tall) (Current dimensions 26h 11n 11e 7s 6w). G4 - Leylandii - Fell to ground level 7 stems windblown/snapped (ecologist.shut.jousting) T10 - Yew - Crown lift to 4m on east side (no overall change in crown dimensions) G5 - Beech hedge - Cut back east side in access by 1.5m, remove shrubs in top of wall. T13 - Sycamore - Cut back to boundary overhanging from neighbouring property (reduce north-east crown spread from 8m to 2m). G6 - Beech hedge - Cut back east side by 1.5m at end of workshop. All works are being undertaken to rectify a lack of maintenance at the property in recent years. These works will allow the clearance of existing structures, repairs to boundary fencing, reinstating side access where overgrown hedging prevents vehicular access, and removal of broken branches, and dead or windblown trees.

Ashford
Planning Authority Score
6.1/10
Average
#89 of 292 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions

Ashford is faster than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #44 out of 292. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (91%) than the national average (90%).

Faster than most councils
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Ashford decision performance
Based on MHCLG data, 2025
87%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #160 of 292
91%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #163 of 292
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (64%) #44 of 292
39%
Extended time limit
Below avg (40%) #137 of 292
71%
Minor dwellings approved
109 decided (1-9 homes)
79%
Major dwellings approved
19 decided (10+ homes)
89%
Change of use approved
36 decided
1,007
Total decisions
129 refused in 2025