Planning application
Block H Birks Halls New North Road Exeter EX4 4GE
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
The yew tree in question is showing signs of asymmetric crown formation. After previous limb failure causing a structural imbalance to the remaining crown. My proposal for the future vigour of this tree is to Install a dynamic cobra bracing system to support the imbalance of the lower structural limbs forming a strong three way triangulation of support for the lateral growth that has become very prone to wind through. Please see photo (Yew Reduction Points) for bracing points highlighted in blue. Selective thinning of the whole crown by removing internal growth with a maximum cut size of 60mm diameter 1.5m length by removing multiple smaller limbs I believe this will be more beneficial to the trees structure, and limit the amount of large wounds left by the thinning works. Allowing for better wind distribution through the remaining crown hopefully eliminating future wind through. by leaving the larger structural limbs intact for the future longevity of the structural integrity. please see photo (Yew Reduction Points) with cut points highlighted in red for chosen thinning points throughout the crown Remove failed limb back to the branch collar. The failed limb supported by lower crown hazard beam fracturing of the timber 150mm diameter 2.5m length this will be the largest of the limbs to be removed through suggested works. red dotted line on attached photo hard to see the hazard beam on the photo (Yew Reduction Points) Selective reduction of the height maximum of 1m in length 40mm cut size to the crown on selected limbs again highlighted in red so that again the risk of wind through will be reduced.
As published by the council, reference 26/0574/TPO
Application record
- Reference
- 26/0574/TPO
- Type
- Works to Protected Trees (TPO)
- Status
- Permitted
- Decision
- Permitted
- Received
- 21 Apr 2026
- Validated
- 21 Apr 2026
- Decided
- 24 Jul 2026
- Ward
- Duryard And St James
- Decision by
- Delegated Decision
- Postcode
- EX4 4GE
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
21 Apr 2026
Received by Exeter
-
24 Jul 2026
Decision issued: Permitted
-
26 Jul 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
10 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Trade members open them from here.
Open the documentsWhat this grant of permission means
Exeter granted permission on 24 July 2026, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within three years or the permission lapses. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.
About tree works applications
Applications for works to trees cover protected trees: consent under a tree preservation order, or six weeks notice for trees in a conservation area. More in our guide to planning application types.
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