Planning application
The Sound House Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
Works: Trees Small domestic
Read from the description, not a valuation. How we read the register
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
There are 4 trees growing within the boundary wall of the property. The arborist has said to apply for 'cyclical permission' to pollard these trees. The trees are within large hedges that will be trimmed at the same time. The trees are now too tall and restrict light to the property. They are also affecting the general appearance of the boundary hedges and the tree surgeon has recommended 'cyclical permission' to maintain the trees to a safe condition. Trees are 2 x Beech, 1 x Hornbeam Oak and 1 x Wellingtonia 05.04.21 - The Beeches and Hornbeam Oak, which are situated along the corner of Hunsdon Road and Braddens Hill Road East, are all "sat" on the original stone and earth bank / wall which forms the boundary of our property. I can confirm there are actually three trees on the Braddons Hill Road side and not two as shown in our original submission i.e. a total of four trees. These trees are all approx. 10.6 metres high from the level of our drive or 12.5 metres above the road level outside, as the wall stands 1.9 metres high on the road side. We have a telephone wire running from the telegraph pole in Braddons Hill Road East to our house at a height above our drive of approx. 7.1 metres and we would like to reduce the height of the trees to below that height to ensure the trees do not damage the telephone wire. This would entail reducing them from 10.6 metres to 7.0 metres i.e. still 8.9 metres above the road from the outside and a reduction in height of about one third. The Wellingtonia sits at the end of our garden (which slopes down from the house) on our perimeter with Braddons Hill Road East, again the tree sits on the stone and earth bank / wall. We have estimated the tree's height to be 17.4 metres and externally, allowing for the wall it is 19.2 metres above the road level. Again we would like to reduce this in height by about one third so it would be approx. 12 metres high or 13.8 metres above the road level. The photographs we prev
As published by the council, reference AT/2021/0082
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2021/0082
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Unknown
- Decision
- Refused As published: Part allowed/part refused
- Received
- 2 Mar 2021
- Validated
- 7 Apr 2021
- Decided
- 7 Jun 2021
- Ward
- Wellswood
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 1QB
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
2 Mar 2021
Received by Torbay
-
7 Apr 2021
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
7 Jun 2021
Decision issued: Part allowed/part refused
-
2 Sep 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
6 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.
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Open the documentsWhat this refusal means
Torbay refused this application for the reasons on the decision notice; only the applicant can appeal, and refused schemes often return in revised form. 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.
Nearby applications
Within 0.3 miles
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Bramblehurst House Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
Repositioning of main entrance gate and part replace stone garden wall
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Bramblehurst House Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
Repositioning of main entrance gate and pillars and refurbishment/repair of stone wall boundary.
Refused Lawful development 10 docs -
Bramblehurst House Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
Demolish existing extension and replace with new single storey extension.
Withdrawn Householder Extension Demolition 12 docsSmall domestic -
Hunsdon Court Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
Tree Species - Turkey Oak Only one needs pruning but there are 5 clustered together. One of the trees has 3 off shoots (branches) that fall into the Woodland property. Work required - to cut back the branches to prevent damage to the roof tiles. This will need at lease a 2m pruning on 3 branches - see photos.
Granted Trees -
Heanton Court Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
80% historically approved · decision due ~6 Nov
Conservation area ref 1972.014 Tree Reference: T1 Magnolia. Proposed Work: Fell, dismantle, and completely remove. Justification Reasons: Proximity: The trunk is growing directly against the external wall of the two-storey house. Light Nuisance: The 5 metre tall and 3 metre canopy spread covers windows and severely restricts natural light. Structural Risk: The root system is right up against the property foundations, creating an immediate concern for structural damage. 10/09/26 Amendment to address further information required. The tree is believed to be no older than 40 years old and therefore not subject to any constraints of the 1972 Tree preservation order. There is no evidence of any previous pruning that may have effected the size of the trunk or rate of growth and no previous applications for work to be carried out on the tree on the planning system.
Awaiting decision Trees -
Hunsdon Court Hunsdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QB
G1 (Trees T1 to T4) - reduce laterally the lower crown to north towards the apartments by 2 to 3m, to a height of 7m. (Leaving a tree with crown spread to north of 3-4m). This is to provide a clearance from the building.
Granted Trees 4 docs
Other tree works applications
In Torbay
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AT/2026/0184 Granted
18A Mead Road Torquay TQ2 6TF
Crown lift secondary branch growth only up to approximately 4.5m from ground level to achieve the required vertical clearance above the driveway and neighbours. Crown thin overall leaf bearing twig structure by 10 percent. This will also help with canopy crowding and avoid other trees rubbing against each other. Remove all major dead wood from crown All trees are Fagus Sylvatica (Mature Beech) This work has been previously accepted in 2023, application submitted by Devon Tree Services and works were completed by them as well.
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AT/2026/0270 Awaiting decision
Flat 1 Greenwood Torwood Gardens Road Torquay TQ1 1EQ
T1 Mimosa Proposed works: Fell Mature Mimosa situated within a confined residential garden in a Conservation Area, immediately adjacent to a masonry boundary wall and nearby buildings. The presence of Ganoderma fruiting bodies at the base of the tree indicates a potential wood-decay infection. The tree also exhibits an irregular crown with apparent dieback and is growing within a severely restricted environment. Its proximity to residential property, garden areas and the public highway increases the potential consequences of structural failure. Felling is proposed on the grounds of suspected basal decay, apparent crown deterioration and the tree's restricted location.
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AT/2026/0271 Awaiting decision
8 Cecil Avenue Paignton TQ3 1LW
T1 - Holm Oak Recommended works: Establish a pollard framework by removing the three substantial lateral branches at the positions indicated by the red markings in Photograph 3. The proposed works are intended to reduce the extensive lateral crown and associated mechanical loading from the tree's pronounced lean, while retaining the tree. Cyclical management: Following establishment, implement a seven-year cyclical pollarding regime to manage regrowth, control crown size, and limit excessive loading on the retained framework. Inspect the developing pollard heads periodically, particularly during the initial establishment period, to assess shoot attachment, structural condition and physiological response. All works should be undertaken in accordance with BS 3998:2010, subject to confirmation that the proposed cutting positions and degree of crown removal are appropriate following an on-site assessment. The seven-year interval is the proposed management objective and should be reviewed based on the tree's regrowth and structural condition.
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AT/2026/0269 Awaiting decision
8 Ben Venue Close Torquay TQ1 1RX
T1 - Western Red Cedar Proposed works: Fell Reason for works T1 is an established Western red cedar growing in exceptionally close proximity to an existing stone boundary wall. Photographic evidence indicates that the lower stem is in direct contact with the masonry, creating a physical conflict between the tree and the structure. Continued radial growth of the stem could exert further pressure on the wall, resulting in progressive displacement and deterioration of the masonry. The close relationship between the stem and the wall also restricts access for inspection, maintenance and necessary repairs. The tree's position presents a long-term management conflict. Crown reduction would not resolve the fundamental issue at the base of the tree, as it would not prevent continued radial stem growth. Felling is recommended as a permanent way to resolve the physical conflict between the tree and the boundary wall, prevent further interference from stem growth, and facilitate any necessary structural repairs. This recommendation is based primarily on the tree's unsuitable position relative to the existing structure and the limited practical options for a sustainable long-term solution. Based on its apparent size and maturity, it is possible that the tree was planted after the original Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was established.
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AT/2026/0204 Granted
Flat 1 Vernon Court Warren Road Torquay TQ2 5TR
Holm Oak 12m Tall 50cm diameter (Already have approved plan for other three trees on site, scope to mirror that) Crown mai fence works requested to cut back to previous pruning points, not as far as original pollard but to the secondary pollard points, this has been noted on tree inspectors recent visit looking at other trees on site. This tree was not included in the original request due to a miscommunication between owner and agent. Plan to reduce radial spread down from 9m to 7m roughly removing 1.5-2m of regrowth.