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
- Refused As published: 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.
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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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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
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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 -
Apartment 14 Vista Apartments Alta Vista Road Paignton TQ4 6DA
Alterations and extension to provide first floor.
Granted Full applications Extension 12 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
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.