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Planning application

25/1369/TPO

5 Sunhill Lane Topsham EX3 0BR

Refused Exeter Works to Protected Trees (TPO)

Proposal

T1 - Blue Atlas Cedar Crown Lift. Remove lowest branches extending over driveway. Crown Raise any remaining foliage to 5 metres above ground level to shape. Reduce extended branches in upper crown by a maximum of 4 metres to contain overall spread. Selective pruning to remove weaker, crossing, and dead branches to improve structure, balance, and long-term health. Crown clean. Reason for Works: T1 Blue Atlas Cedar Low branches over the highway and parking areas. Some branches now resting over a telephone cable. To contain and prevent weaker branches from falling in storms/high winds and causing damage to property, people or pets. To maintain the tree at a safe and proportionate size in relation to the neighbour?s boundary, our property, and the adjacent lane, reducing encroachment and shading while preserving the tree?s natural form and amenity value (as last completed in 2017 as per previous application).

As published by the council, reference 25/1369/TPO

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 5 Oct 2025

    Received by Exeter

  2. 31 Oct 2025

    Decision issued: Refuse Planning Permission

  3. 26 Jul 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

What refusal means

The process from here

The council refused this application for the reasons set out on the decision notice, which the council portal holds in full. Only the applicant can appeal a refusal; the time limit runs from the decision date and is shorter for householder schemes.

Refusal does not prevent a fresh attempt. Applicants often address the reasons for refusal and resubmit, so a refused scheme is not necessarily the end of proposals for the site.

About trees applications

How this application type works

Tree applications cover work to protected trees: those under a tree preservation order need consent for pruning or felling, and trees in a conservation area need six weeks written notice before work starts. The council assesses the amenity value of the tree and can refuse consent, approve it with conditions, or in conservation areas make a preservation order in response.

More on trees applications in our guide

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In Exeter

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  • 26/1116/CAT Awaiting decision

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