Planning application
Goodrington Lodge 23 Alta Vista Road Paignton TQ4 6DA
Works: Trees
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
Tree Reference: T1 (Horse Chestnut) Proposed Works: Primary Proposal (Option 1): Crown reduction of 3m from the height and radial spread to suitable pruning points. The finished dimensions will be approximately 9m in height and 6m in radial spread. Alternative Proposal (Option 2 ): Pollard to a height of approximately 6m to establish a cyclical maintenance framework. All works to be carried out in accordance with BS 3998:2010 (Recommendations for Tree Work) The proposed works to T1 (Horse Chestnut) are necessary to mitigate health and safety risks at the entrance to a residential car parking area. The tree currently overhangs the primary vehicle and pedestrian access point, as well as several designated parking bays Safety and Access: The crown reduction or pollard is required to reduce the risk of limb failure and falling debris (conkers and deadwood) onto residents and vehicles in this high-traffic zone. Long-term Management: Option 1(Crown Reduction) aims to balance the tree's health and visual amenity with the practical constraints of its location. Option 2 (Pollarding to 6m) is proposed to initiate a sustainable cyclical maintenance plan. This would allow the tree to be retained in its urban environment at a size compatible with its proximity to residential infrastructure.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0058
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0058
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Refusal
- Received
- 18 Feb 2026
- Validated
- 19 Feb 2026
- Decided
- 15 Apr 2026
- Ward
- Roundham With Hyde
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ4 6DA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
18 Feb 2026
Received by Torbay
-
19 Feb 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
15 Apr 2026
Decision issued: Refusal
-
12 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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.
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
-
Goodrington Lodge 23 Alta Vista Road Paignton Devon TQ4 6DA
Removal of condition 1 on application P/2008/1663/PA; condition 2 on application P/2008/1263/PA; condition 3 on application P/2008/0961/PA and condition 3 on application P/2008/0217/PA to allow permanent residential use along with holiday accommodation
Decided Amendments 15 docs -
Domestic
-
16 Youngs Park Road Paignton TQ4 6BU
Use of property as 6 independent flats.
Split decision Lawful development New dwelling 14 docs -
Apartment 1 Vista Apartments Alta Vista Road Paignton TQ4 6DA
Variation of Conditions relating to application P/2003/1605 (Conversion Of Hotel To Form 12 Two Bedroom And 1 Single Bedroom Holiday Apartments). Condition: 01 - Occupation for holiday letting only. Variation sought: removal of restrictions to allow for both holiday and residential letting.
Granted Amendments New dwelling 9 docs -
Bosuns Point Alta Vista Road Paignton TQ4 6BH
G001 - Scots Pine Group: group of 3 Scots Pine, historically heavily reduced in height to approximately 2m, with poor pruning points. Located on top and within 1-2m from retaining wall, adjacent to highway, forming part of boundary hedge. Poor specimens. Recommended removal of all 3 trees, to be replaced with native hedgerow.
Granted Trees -
30 Youngs Park Road Paignton TQ4 6BU
Change of use of no. 30 from holiday letting units to a single residential dwelling with internal alterations.
Granted Full applications 19 docsDomestic
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