Planning application
Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
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
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0072
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0072
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Approval
- Received
- 5 Mar 2026
- Validated
- 9 Mar 2026
- Decided
- 28 Apr 2026
- Ward
- St Marychurch
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 3NW
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
5 Mar 2026
Received by Torbay
-
9 Mar 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
28 Apr 2026
Decision issued: Approval
-
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 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.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
Cary Lodge Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW
Single storey extension to form additional lounge accommodation to the rear elevation, including revised car parking spaces
Refused Full applications Extension 27 docsSmall domestic -
Trecarn Hotel Palermo Road Torquay TQ1 3NW
5 Day Notice - T1 (Pittosporum) - Has suffered structural failure with part of the crown having already fallen and now presents an immediate and unacceptable risk to site users and the adjacent public realm. A basic location plan and supporting photographs are attached. The proposed works are restricted to the removal of the failed and hazardous material only
Granted Trees -
18 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3SJ
Variation of Conditions relating to application P/2021/0893 (Variation of P/2017/0178 (Conversion of Hotel into 9 apartments, demolition of later additions, creation of communal garden and terraces and shared facilities)): Amend Plans Condition (P1) to provide roof terraces to Units 7 and 9 (2nd Floor Rear); Amend Condition 7 wording to reference roof terraces to Units 7 and 9.
Granted Amendments New dwelling Demolition 14 docsSeveral homes -
Babbacombe Guest House 53 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3SN
Change of use from Guest house to Single Dwelling.
Granted Full applicationsDomestic -
Cary Park Tennis Club Cary Avenue Torquay TQ1 3NQ
Erection of 3 x 6.7m lighting stanchions. Provision of 6 x LED luminaires to court 4 & provision of 1 x courtesy luminaire to court 5.
Granted Other -
10 York Crescent Torquay TQ1 3SH
Two-storey side extension, new access steps to rear and additional parking
Granted Householder Extension 15 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