28 Shooters Hill Road, London, SE3 7BD

Proposal

T1 Lime: Fell Justification for Tree Removal - retention is not viable on structural and safety grounds of boundary wall - wall in question is of modest height, it performs a retaining function supporting the difference in levels between the property and the adjacent public footway. The tree's radial root expansion has exerted sustained lateral pressure on the masonry, resulting in visible bowing of the wall and measurable displacement beyond the original footprint. The wall now encroaches onto the public highway. The pattern of deformation, including horizontal shear fissures and outward lean, is characteristic of radial root thickening rather than settlement or workmanship defects. A bridging or load-bearing root-protection solution has been considered but is technically unfeasible. The wall's shallow foundation depth and limited structural capacity cannot support a cantilevered system without full reconstruction - rooting environment is also severely constrained by the wall and adjoining hard surfacing, leading to dominant surface rooting and localised pavement heave. Continued radial growth will further destabilise the wall and create an ongoing hazard to pedestrians, proximity to the pavement and visible distortion present a foreseeable risk of collapse onto the public footway. This risk engages the duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 and the potential for enforcement under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980, should the highway authority consider the wall to be in a dangerous condition. Given these factors, engineering retention measures are neither proportionate nor practical. Removal of the existing tree represents the only safe and sustainable option. The owner proposes to plant a semi-mature replacement specimen of appropriate species within a root-contained system to prevent future structural conflict, ensuring continuity of canopy cover in accordance with BS 3998: 2010 ? Recommendations for Tree Work and BS 8545: 2014 - Establishment of Young Trees.