Planning application
Norcliffe Hotel 7 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LF
Works: Trees
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
T1 - Beech - Mature tree touching guttering in places. Would like to prune back from building stopping any future damage to fascia and guttering. Prune tertiary branches back by 1.5m or less. Make pruning cuts of 10cm or less. Pruning sympathetically from building while keeping the aesthetical value from the rest of the road. T2 - Mulberry Morus Alba - This tree has been dying for last few years and last year has put out a lot of epicormic growth showing signs of stress and ill health. The tree is heavily leaning over the footpath and car park. If the tree was to fail it could cause injury to pedestrian. I would like to dismantle the tree to ground level and re plant in the existing border in order to keep the aesthetics of the road.
As published by the council, reference AT/2021/0146
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2021/0146
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Decision
- Part allowed/part refused
- Received
- 19 Apr 2021
- Validated
- 20 Apr 2021
- Decided
- 21 Jun 2021
- Ward
- St Marychurch
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 3LF
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
19 Apr 2021
Received by Torbay
-
20 Apr 2021
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
21 Jun 2021
Decision issued: Part allowed/part refused
-
2 Sep 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Agent on file, registered in Leicester
24 applications on PlanIndex · across 4 councils · 78% granted
Trade members see who it is, their full track record, and every application they have filed.
See who's behind itDocuments
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
2 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 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.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
Norcliffe Hotel 7 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LF
75% historically approved · decision due ~12 Mar
Alterations to roof profile with removal of flat roofs over villa. Re-configuration of loft space to create bedrooms, with various alterations to first floor, including improvement of room layouts and addition of balcony amenity space. Alterations to ground floor restaurant, including extension to front, with bi-fold terrace doors.
Awaiting decision Full applications Extension Windows or glazing -
Norcliffe Hotel 7 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LF
Kitchen ventilation ducting and green infrastructure roof improvements (retrospective).
Refused Full applications -
Highways Land Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3LE
Installation of 20m pole inc antennas, ground based apparatus and ancillary development.
Refused Prior approval 36 docs -
18 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3SJ
Variation of Conditions relating to application P/2021/0893 (Variation of P/2017/0178 (Conversion of Hotel into 9 apartments, demolition of later additions, creation of communal garden and terraces and shared facilities)): Amend Plans Condition (P1) to provide roof terraces to Units 7 and 9 (2nd Floor Rear); Amend Condition 7 wording to reference roof terraces to Units 7 and 9.
Granted Amendments New dwelling Demolition 14 docsSeveral homes -
Homecombe House St Albans Road Torquay TQ1 3ND
Oak (T1) - Reduce the outer crown to the NW and SW by up to 1.5 m, ensuring final cuts do not exceed 50 mm diameter. The resulting crown spread will be approximately 6-7 m from stem to crown edge in each direction, in accordance with BS 3998:2010. The tree is situated near No. 18, adjacent to a bus stop and car park within a landscaped garden. Works are proposed to mitigate nuisance from bird droppings on the patio, which pose a potential health risk, while retaining the tree's amenity and structural integrity. The proposed works are necessary to mitigate nuisance and health risks arising from bird droppings on the patio, which can act as breeding grounds for parasites transmissible to humans. The tree's proximity to a bus stop and landscaped car park increases public exposure, making crown management essential for safeguarding amenity and public health. Selective reduction of the NW and SW crown will lessen overhang and shading, while retaining the tree's overall form and structural integrity in accordance with BS 3998:2010. The works will ensure that the crown maintains adequate clearance above the adjacent car park, consistent with the minimum highway clearance standard of 5.03 m. This is particularly important given the restricted manoeuvrability for larger vehicles near the bus stop, where safe passage must be maintained for public transport, service, and emergency vehicles.
Granted Trees -
Homecombe House St Albans Road Torquay TQ1 3ND
81% historically approved · decision due ~21 Sep
T006 - 1x Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) ///drank.axed.trader- Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level using appropriate dismantling techniques to ensure the safe and controlled removal of all sections. Re-Placement Tree Planting Specification To plant 1x Selected Standard Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) 30 litre pot,10 - 12cm girth, approximately 3.0 metres in height. See QTRA for justification
Awaiting decision Trees
Other trees applications
In Torbay
-
AT/2026/0171 Granted
2 High Grove Sunbury Hill Torquay TQ1 3ED
Trim branch's back slightly from touching our property and roof space to stop damage and further accidents from happening. Silver Birch Tree Pruning Reduce the branches that are hanging over the roof and gutter. Cut back to appropriate growth points. Tree will be climbed and rigged down. By cutting away from gutters and roof - it should reduce future damage to the property. All work to be carried out by qualified and insured arborists. All waste to be removed responsibly and under license.
-
AT/2026/0216 Granted
Brantwood Rowdens Road Torquay TQ2 5AZ
All trees 1-6 to be removed completely, most are not identifiable as they are completely dead. All trees below an approximate height of twelve meters, and we wish to remove them as they are dead. We also want to remove the dead foliage on the slope to the side of the property, and cut back growth to a manageable condition for future maintenance. I have not been able to find specific tree preservation numbers for the trees 1-6 but I understand we are located in a conservation area and have therefor submitted this application.
-
AT/2026/0233 Awaiting decision
South Ridge Middle Lincombe Road Torquay TQ1 2NE
T1 - cedar. Reduce the lateral spread/end-loading on 3 x low limbs on the west side of the tree by 2.5m, from 9.5m to 7m.
-
AT/2026/0234 Awaiting decision
12 Mena Park Close Paignton TQ4 7TA
T1 Leyland cypress T2 Spruce We would like to fell both these trees, the spruce is cladded in ivy and poor form. The Leyland Cypress is again of poor form and completely over powering this garden. To replace these with Beech trees would make sense.
-
AT/2026/0166 Granted
3 Roundham Road Paignton Torbay TQ4 6EZ
Oak T 1 - Reduce lateral crown spread over the roof by up to 1. 1.5m, targeting only branches encroaching towards the property. Works to follow BS 3998: 2010 principles: retain natural form, prune back to suitable secondary growth, avoid creating large wounds, and maintain a balanced crown shape. The crown is in direct contact with the roofline, causing abrasion, debris accumulation, and increased maintenance needs. A modest reduction restores safe clearance while retaining the tree's amenity value. Oak T 2 and T 3 - Pollard the tree at an appropriate height to manage structural decline associated with Ganoderma. Retain a stable framework of sound scaffold branches; cuts to be made at suitable points to allow future cyclical management. All works to follow BS 3998: 2010 and be proportionate to the tree's condition and location. The tree shows signs consistent with Ganoderma decay, reducing structural reliability. Pollarding is a recognised BS 3998 management option for declining trees where retention is desirable but full crown load is no longer appropriate. This approach prolongs safe retention, reduces risk, and avoids premature removal. Cedar T 4 - Remove deadwood =40mm diameter and any unstable smaller deadwood throughout the crown. Deadwood is present in the crown, posing a risk to the garden and adjacent access areas. Beech G 1 - Lift branches over the road to a minimum height of 5.2m (standard UK highway clearance for vehicle routes). Lift branches over the pavement to a minimum height of 2.1m (standard pedestrian clearance). Where applicable, lift branches over cycleways to 2.5?m. Remove or shorten only those branches that obstruct safe passage or visibility, in accordance with Highways Act 1980 s 154. Pruning to follow BS 3998: 2010 prune to suitable secondary growth points, avoid excessive thinning, and retain group structure. The Beech group is producing low lateral growth that obstructs the public highway, affecting safe pedestrian and vehicle move