Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW

1. 3 Mar 2026

   Received by Torbay

2. 4 Mar 2026

   Decision issued: Approval

3. 12 Aug 2026

   Added to PlanIndex

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.

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.

More on trees applications in our guide

• Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW

  AT/2026/0072 Submitted 5 Mar 2026 61m away

  Justification for Felling T2 and T3 Pittosporum 1. Species Unsuitability for the Location Both T2 and T3 are Pittosporum, a species generally used as ornamental screening shrubs. They are not suitable for long-term retention as large trees in a confined, built-up commercial setting. When allowed to grow beyond their intended size, Pittosporum develop: - Weak, multi-stemmed forms - Shallow, spreading root systems - Poor structural resilience under load This makes them unsuitable for retention near buildings, walls, and guest areas. 2. Structural Damage to the Retaining Wall The trees are causing active structural damage to the stone wall at the hotel entrance. Signs include: - A full-height vertical split - Outward displacement of masonry - Root pressure from behind the wall Ivy-laden stems worsen moisture retention and decay. This represents direct physical damage, which is a valid and accepted reason for felling within a TPO Area. 3. Foreseeable Risk of Failure The combination of: - Root pressure against a failing wall - Multi-stemmed, ivy-laden crowns - Suppressed growth form coupled with proximity to the hotel entrance, driveway, and pedestrian routes, creates a foreseeable risk of partial or complete tree failure. In a hotel environment with constant public access, the acceptable risk threshold is low. Pruning would not resolve the underlying structural issues and could accelerate decline, contrary to BS3998:2010. 4. Limited Management Options Crown reduction would not relieve root pressure or stabilise the failing wall. Repeated pruning would create large wounds and increase the risk of decay. Root pruning is not feasible without destabilising the trees or further damaging the wall. Retention would require wall reconstruction, which cannot be safely undertaken while the trees remain in place. Felling is therefore the only proportionate and practical option. 5. Replacement Planting Commitment To uphold the amenity value within the TPO Area

  Granted Trees

• Cary Lodge Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW

  P/2022/1175 Submitted 26 Oct 2022 65m away

  Single storey extension to form additional lounge accommodation to the rear elevation, including revised car parking spaces

  Refused Full applications Extension 27 docs
  Small domestic

• Babbacombe Guest House 53 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3SN

  P/2025/0621 Submitted 30 Sep 2025 97m away

  Change of use from Guest house to Single Dwelling.

  Granted Full applications
  Domestic

• First Floor Flat 8 Churchway Torquay TQ1 3NS

  P/2026/0478 Submitted 3 Aug 2026 103m away

  75% historically approved · decision due ~6 Oct

  Proposed loft conversion with dormer to rear and rooflight to the front.

  Awaiting decision Full applications Loft or dormer

• 55 - 57 Babbacombe Road Torquay Devon TQ1 3SN

  P/2011/0801 Submitted 25 Jul 2011 120m away

  Illuminated gantry sign; 1 welcome/goodbye sign; 2 "no parking" signs and 3 parking restriction signs

  Granted Advertising 11 docs

• Homecombe House St Albans Road Torquay TQ1 3ND

  AT/2025/0334 Submitted 7 Nov 2025 134m away

  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

• 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.

  8 Jul 2026 Trees
• 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.

  13 Aug 2026 Trees
• 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.

  28 Aug 2026 Trees
• 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.

  28 Aug 2026 Trees
• 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

  30 Jun 2026 Trees