Topp Tree Care

Hamlyns House St Andrews Road Exeter EX4 2AF

Section 211 notice: proposed works to trees in a conservation area Please accept this as notice under section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 of the following proposed works to two trees at the above address. T1 and T2 are identified on the attached site plan. T1 - mature lime Proposed work: Dismantle to ground level. Ganoderma fruiting bodies have been observed around all sides of the base. On sounding, the lower stem produced a hollow response up to approximately 2.5 metres above ground level. The tree stands adjacent to a frequently used driveway that is also used by third parties. These observations and the exposure of driveway users are the reasons for the proposed removal. T2 - mature beech Proposed work: Reduce to standing deadwood as a habitat monolith approximately 8 metres high, removing the crown and lateral branches. Significant fungal fruiting bodies, identified as Meripilus giganteus, have been observed around the base. This beech shares a rooting system with a companion beech that has previously failed. Potential targets include telephone wires, a driveway and a frequently used garden. The highway may also be within the trees fall zone, depending on the direction of failure. The proposed work would remove the crown while retaining standing deadwood for habitat. The condition of the base and root system, and the stability of the proposed 8 metre retained stem, will be assessed before work proceeds. Please acknowledge receipt, confirm whether either tree is already subject to a Tree Preservation Order, and advise whether the council wishes to inspect them. Given the occupied targets and observed defects, we would welcome an early written response if the council does not intend to make a TPO.

61 Jenwood Road Dunkeswell Honiton EX14 4UY

T001. English Oak : reduce the remaining tree back to the main crown break, removing the unstable upper crown and significantly compromised residual branches. Retain the lower stem as standing deadwood/habitat at a safe and appropriate height. T002, Beech : reduce the crown by approximately 4-5m in height and lateral spread, retaining a balanced natural form and pruning to suitable secondary growth points. Install an appropriately specified dynamic Cobra bracing system between the principal stems. T003, Common Beech : selectively reduce the crown by approximately 1.5-2.5 m in height and lateral spread, retaining a balanced natural form and pruning to suitable secondary growth points. Remove deadwood as required. T004, Beech : selectively reduce the crown by approximately 3-4 m in height and lateral spread, retaining a balanced natural form and pruning to suitable secondary growth points. Focus the reduction on exposed sections and growth extending towards the adjacent garage/building.

5 Croft Road Ogwell Devon TQ12 6BQ

Crown reduction of T001 Oak Removal of T002 self-seeded Sycamore Removal of G001 and G002 mixed groups

Seaglass Holcombe Drive Dawlish Devon EX7 0BD

Coppice self-seeded Sycamore to as close to ground level as reasonably practicable and remove arising material from site

Flat 1 Kingsbridge Greenway Road Torquay TQ1 4NJ

T001 - Mature Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Observations: Mature beech with a substantial fungal fruiting body present at the base of the stem, visually consistent with Ganoderma spp. Sounding of the lower stem with a sounding mallet produced a pronounced hollow response extending from the base to approximately 2 m above ground level on the road-facing side, indicating potentially significant internal dysfunction and decay within the lower main stem. The defect is located within the tree?s primary load-bearing region, where the main stem transfers crown loading into the root system. Decay or loss of sound wood in this area is therefore considered structurally significant. The full extent of internal decay and remaining residual wall thickness could not be quantified through ground-based inspection alone. The tree supports a large mature crown and is located immediately adjacent to a public highway, with pedestrians, moving and parked vehicles, and nearby residential properties within the potential failure zone. Recommendation: Dismantle T001 to near ground level. The recommendation is based on the presence of basal fungal decay, the pronounced hollow response extending approximately 2 m up the lower stem, and the location of the defect within the principal load-bearing region of the tree. These findings materially reduce confidence in the tree's long-term structural reliability. Although the tree provides significant local amenity value within the Conservation Area, this is considered outweighed by the extent and structural significance of the identified defects and the potential consequences of whole-tree or basal failure onto the adjacent highway and surrounding targets.

The Bungalow The Rocklands Chudleigh Devon TQ13 0EA

T003 - Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris) Crown reduce by approximately 6m, reducing the overall height from approximately 31m to approximately 25m. Reduce the lateral crown proportionately to maintain a balanced natural form, retaining suitable growth points. T001 - Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris) - Fell to ground level due to extensive basal decay and hollowing, bark necrosis, major deadwood, significant canopy decline and poor physiological and structural condition. T002 - Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris) Reduce the tree from approximately 32m to a final height of approximately 12m. Retain the reduced stem and principal structure as a habitat feature, using veteranisation cuts where appropriate

Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP

T003 ? Mature lime: Pollard to the main crown break, retaining the main stem and permanent primary scaffold framework. Thereafter manage as a cyclical pollard, with re-pollarding anticipated approximately every seven years. The works are requested following a ground-based assessment and subsequent climbing inspection. The aerial inspection identified multiple cavities within load-bearing primary branches supporting substantial upright stems. Three cavities were reported to extend beyond the diameter of the affected branch when investigated using an eight-inch probe. Further cavities and significant historic pruning wounds with associated decay were also recorded. The affected crown is exposed to wind and overhangs St Marychurch Road, the unsheltered Hatfield Cross bus stop and parts of Lynway Court. The inspecting arborist considered ordinary crown reduction but concluded that it would not sufficiently address the defects distributed through the primary crown. Pollarding is therefore proposed as a tree-retention and risk-management measure, rather than removal. T004 ? Mature lime: Crown reduce from approximately 30 metres to 28 metres in height and reduce radial spread from approximately 9 metres to 7.5 metres. Retain a natural flowing canopy outline and prune to suitable growth points. The T004 works are limited to crown reduction; pollarding is not proposed for this tree. T004 has previously been crown reduced and has responded with approximately 1?1.5 metres of regrowth. The proposed reduction continues this established management approach while retaining the tree?s overall form and amenity contribution. Both trees will be retained. All works will be undertaken by a competent and appropriately insured arboricultural contractor in accordance with the approved specification and BS 3998:2010, subject to appropriate ecological and highway-safety controls.

Flat 1 Roundham House 22 Belle Vue Road Paignton TQ4 6ER

T009 - Mixed broadleaf group: Crown lift the highway-facing canopy to achieve 5.2 metres vertical clearance above the public highway. The group principally comprises beech, sycamore and common lime, with bay and cherry laurel beneath. The low canopy and leaning understorey stems are obstructing highway clearance and show evidence of previous vehicle strikes. The work is required to resolve existing vehicle conflicts and provide safe, sustainable clearance. Pruning will be limited to the minimum necessary, retain the trees' natural form and leave no avoidable large wounds. All operations will comply with BS 3998:2010 -Tree Work: Recommendations, subject to checks for nesting birds, bats and other protected species. Planning note: The survey identifies TPO reference 1974.014, but states that T001 and T009 appear not to be included within that TPO. The whole site is within the Roundham and Paignton Harbour Conservation Area, so the council should confirm whether this should be submitted as a TPO application or a Section 211 conservation-area notice.

Woodsome Woodend Road Torquay TQ1 2PZ

T001- Holm Oak - Sectional Dismantle, See tree survey for justification.

Timbertops Seaway Lane Torquay TQ2 6PS

Reason for Works The subject tree is a self-seeded, semi-mature Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) of limited individual landscape and public amenity value. The tree has developed as a twin-stem specimen and has previously been reduced, resulting in a modified crown form. The tree is situated in close proximity to the dwelling and adjacent driveway, where continued growth is creating an increasing spatial relationship conflict with the property. The canopy extends over the driveway, resulting in regular accumulations of leaves, seeds and other organic debris. During periods of wet weather this contributes to a slippery surface requiring ongoing maintenance to maintain safe access to the property. The tree does not form part of a significant landscape feature, avenue or important visual group and is largely screened within the residential setting. Due to its self-seeded origin, previous management history and limited contribution to the wider character of the Conservation Area, its removal is not considered likely to result in a material loss of public amenity. Whilst cyclical pruning could temporarily reduce canopy spread, it would not resolve the underlying relationship with the dwelling or prevent the recurring accumulation of seasonal debris on the driveway. Continued pruning would also necessitate ongoing management of a species that responds vigorously to reduction. Removal is therefore considered to represent the most appropriate long-term management solution. To mitigate the loss of canopy cover, the applicant is willing to undertake replacement planting with a more suitable ornamental tree in an agreed location if considered appropriate by the Local Planning Authority.