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Planning application

Little Thatch Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

Granted Torbay AT/2025/0314 Works To Tree Within TPO

Works: Trees

Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.

Proposal

T001 - 1x Holly Tree Crown lift on the roadside by removing three branches overhanging the carriageway, pruning back to the main stem to achieve highway regulation clearance of 5.60 metres from road level. Reduce the remaining canopy of the tree as follows: Reduce the height of the tree by approximately 2 m, leaving a final overall height of approximately 7 m. Reduce the radial crown spread by approximately 1.5 m, leaving a final radial spread of 5.5 m at all compass points. All works shall retain the tree's main framework and natural form, maintaining a high proportion of the foliage-bearing structure. All final pruning cuts shall be made at suitable growth points in accordance with BS 3998:2010 Tree Work ? Recommendations. Individual pruning wounds shall not exceed 40 mm in diameter. Justification: The proposed works are intended to provide adequate statutory highway clearance in accordance with Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980 and to prevent low lateral branches from obstructing the carriageway. The crown reduction is required to contain the overall size and spread of the tree within its constrained roadside setting, mitigating the risk of branch failure and limiting future encroachment into the garden area. The works are of a sympathetic and proportional nature, designed to maintain the long-term health, form, and amenity value of the tree while ensuring compliance with highway safety regulations. The proposed pruning is consistent with good arboricultural practice and will not adversely affect the tree's physiological condition or visual contribution to the local landscape or conservation area.

As published by the council, reference AT/2025/0314

Application record

Reference
AT/2025/0314
Type
Works To Tree Within TPO
Status
Decided
Decision
Granted As published: Approval
Received
23 Oct 2025
Validated
27 Oct 2025
Decided
9 Dec 2025
Ward
St Marychurch
Decision by
Delegated
Postcode
TQ1 4TS

Site history

Applications at this address on the Torbay register

This site has had 2 applications since 2025: 2 approved, 0 refused.

  • AT/2025/0318 Granted

    Little Thatch Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

    T002 - 1x Dead Apple Tree - Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level in a controlled manner using appropriate rigging and lowering techniques where necessary. T003 - 1x Dead Rowan - Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level, ensuring all sections are safely lowered to avoid damage to surrounding features.

    Decided 3 Nov 2025 Trees

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 23 Oct 2025

    Received by Torbay

  2. 27 Oct 2025

    Validated

    Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

  3. 9 Dec 2025

    Decision issued: Approval

  4. 12 Aug 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

Who's behind it

Company information only, from the register and Companies House

Devon Tree Services Ltd Agent, a tree-works contractor registered in Torquay

Active · incorporated 2013 · Torquay

188 applications on PlanIndex · across 11 councils · 87% granted

Trade members see everything this firm has filed, how it was decided, and get an email the day it files again.

See their track record

Documents

Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report

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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What this grant of permission means

Torbay granted permission on 9 December 2025, 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.

Nearby applications

Within 0.3 miles

  • Little Thatch Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

    AT/2025/0318 Submitted 24 Oct 2025 50 yards away

    T002 - 1x Dead Apple Tree - Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level in a controlled manner using appropriate rigging and lowering techniques where necessary. T003 - 1x Dead Rowan - Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level, ensuring all sections are safely lowered to avoid damage to surrounding features.

    Granted Trees
  • Rose Vine Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

    AT/2025/0371 Submitted 19 Dec 2025 100 yards away

    T1- Ash- Previously submitted and rejected as a 5 day order. - There is a spilt that has appeared after the high winds along the stem and primary branch. Significantly compromising the structure of the tree. The tree is in falling distance of the property and is owned by landowner of the property. Details are below. Notes from the householder- ?We?ve noticed that the ash tree in the back hedge has developed a split in the main trunk which seems to be enlarging. It is 5 to 10 meters from the house?

    Granted Trees
    Domestic
  • Amanzi Cottage Rock House Lane Torquay TQ1 4SU

    P/2025/0576 Submitted 9 Sep 2025 100 yards away

    Construction of first floor extension to rear of building, changes to fenestration, relocation of flue, rooflights.

    Granted Heritage and listed buildings Extension Loft or dormer +1
  • Amanzi Cottage Rock House Lane Torquay TQ1 4SU

    P/2025/0590 Submitted 17 Sep 2025 100 yards away

    Construction of first floor extension to rear of building, changes to fenestration, relocation of flue, rooflights.

    Granted Householder Extension Loft or dormer +1
    Domestic
  • The Shaws Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

    AT/2026/0068 Submitted 2 Mar 2026 150 yards away

    T1 Scots Pine - This tree lost a couple of branches during the recent storm. In order to protect the tree we would like to carry out some minor crown thinning by about 20% to reduce wind sail area. T2 Spruce - This tree is approximately 60ft in height and is located quite close to the rear of the property. A fir tree of similar height came down during the recent storms and we are concerned that this tree may also have fallen. It was noted to be swaying much more than normal and when stood on the ground beneath it a small amount of movement could be felt. We would therefore like to reduce the height by approximately 15-20ft.

    Refused Trees
  • Bowden Cleeve Steep Hill Torquay TQ1 4TS

    AT/2026/0089 Submitted 24 Mar 2026 200 yards away

    Please refer to attached tree report for comments. Work spec: 777 Monterey Cypress: Reduce the side of the western crown by 2.5m by selective branch removal. Crown raise the eastern stem to 5m above ground level to reduce load on the sagged limb. Prune to achieve a 2m clearance from the garage. Prune to achieve a 1m clearance from the telecoms wore. Use a maximum cut diameter of 125mm. Comments: Main stem divides at 1.5m into 5 stems. Some included bark present but no signs of excessive movement. The stems are extensive and have notable leans, most of all in the SW stem. The crown density is below average, more so in southern stem where there is several dead branches 100mm diameter. The eastern stem is subdominant, it looks to have sagged and likely contains some cracking. 778 Monterey Cypress: Reduce the spread of the lowest 2 limbs in the eastern aspect by 1.5m by selective branch removal. Remove hanging branches at approximately 12m above ground level. Use a 100mm maximum cut diameter. Comments: Triple stemmed from 1.5m. significant crown bias to the east. Ivy on main stems. Extensive lateral branches in eastern aspect. There is at least one broken branch suspended over the neighbours garage at approximately 12m above ground level. 779 Monterey Cypress: Remove the hanging branch near the top of the tree. Remove ivy. Prune to achieve a 2m clearance from the garage. Reduce the spread of lowest eastern branch by 2m and crown raise it by 2m. Use a 100mm maximum cut diameter. Comments: Dog-legged main stem with significant crown bias to the SW. Crown growing with 1m of garage. Ivy growth on main stem. Volume of decay suspected in main stem. Obscured by ivy, but considered contained. Lowest branch in eastern aspect is extensive with excessive end loading suspected. There is a hanging branch near the top of the tree, suspended over the garage roof. 780 Monterey Cypress: Reduce the southwestern side of the crown by 2m, targeting the cracked limb. Reduce the heig

    Granted Trees

In Torbay

  • 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.

    Received 22 Jul, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 3 Aug, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees