Planning application
Torbay Hospital Newton Road Torquay TQ2 7AA
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
ATI001 - Populus serotina (Hybrid Black Poplar) - Fell to ground level. This tree has been highlighted in a recent survey in a Tree Safety Inspection Report commissioned by Torbay Hospital and was conducted in November 2022. The tree was inspected from ground level and an aerial inspection to assess defects in the main stem. As a result of the inspection the tree was highlighted to be removed on safety grounds. It is an over mature poplar, rooted on the edge of Lowes Bridge footpath (on the edge of a water course). It has a heavy lean towards the railway line, and if were to fail would certainly land on the tracks. Early 2022, a secondary limb failure occurred with the large section falling onto the footpath below. There is an extensive cavity at approximately 9m on the main stem which extends at least 1m, downwards. There's evidence that the rootplate has heaved slightly, with disturbed, loose soil on the tension side of the tree. It has now grown beyond the existing canopy line of the surrounding trees, which is now introducing an increased wind load (prevailing westerly). It was originally highlighted in previous surveys to be removed, but I believe the applications were declined. The hospital are more than happy to re-plant.
As published by the council, reference AT/2023/0029
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2023/0029
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Approval
- Received
- 3 Feb 2023
- Validated
- 15 Feb 2023
- Decided
- 13 Apr 2023
- Ward
- Shiphay
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ2 7AA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
3 Feb 2023
Received by Torbay
-
15 Feb 2023
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
13 Apr 2023
Decision issued: Approval
-
16 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
5 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 a grant of permission means
The process from here
Permission has been granted, usually subject to conditions listed on the decision notice, some of which must be discharged before work starts. The decision notice on the council portal sets out exactly what was approved.
Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses. Neighbours cannot appeal a grant; challenging one means judicial review of how the decision was made, within tight time limits.
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.
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Within 500 metres
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Granted Trees -
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Beech Unit Torbay Hospital Newton Road Torquay TQ2 7AA
T045: Sectional Fell to ground level. Tree has significant area of bark necrosis around the base with die back within the crown.
Granted Trees -
Bryant Hall Torbay Hospital Newton Road Torquay TQ2 7AA
T046 - Fagus sylvatica (Common Beech), 25m monolith to 6m T1016 - Acer platanoides (Norway Maple), 19m Monolith to 5m to retain stem for habitat. T1019 - Acer platanoides (Norway Maple), 21m Fell tree due to decay, location near footpath/carpark, and Kretzschmaria infection. T1021 - Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore), 22m Fell tree. T1027 - Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore), 20m Monolith to 4m. T1028 - Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut), 20m Monolith to 4m. Use coronet cuts/fracture pruning for habitat retention. All pruning cuts to be made at suitable growth points. All works carried out to BS 3998:2010 - Tree Work Recommendations. Any high-risk or habitat-value features will be retained or modified accordingly (e.g., monoliths, coronet cuts). All arisings to be removed from site and returned to depot for recycling.
Withdrawn Trees -
Land At Torbay Hospital Shiphay Park Road Torquay
Installation of wooden 10M light pole.
Decided Telecoms
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