Planning application
Rock Bank West Higher Manor Road Brixham TQ5 8HA
Works: Trees
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
Oak T1 - Proposed work: Fell. Justification: The tree exhibits a pronounced lean with a restricted rooting environment, resulting in reduced structural stability. Removal is appropriate due to limited long-term retention potential. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable strategy for this species. Oak T2 - Proposed work: Re-coppice to previous points. Justification: Evidence of decay within the lower stem. Re-coppicing helps restore a stable coppice stool and keeps the tree contributing to the hedge structure. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable replacement strategy for this species. Oak T3 - Proposed work: Fell. Justification: Significant lean combined with constrained rooting space, limiting safe future development. Removal is appropriate given the low long-term viability. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable strategy for this species. Oak T4 - Re-coppice to previous points. Justification: Decay is present in the lower stem. Re-coppicing helps restore a stable coppice stool and keeps the tree contributing to the hedge structure. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable replacement strategy for this species. Sycamore T5 - Proposed work: Crown reduction by up to 2m, maintaining natural form. Justification: Works intended to manage crown spread and maintain appropriate clearance while retaining tree health and amenity value. The tree lost its stability and possibly some roots when the neighbouring wall collapsed last year. Oak T6 - Proposed work: Remove the lowest-order branch only. Justification: Minor branch removal required to facilitate access for larger vehicles. The branch is of small diameter with an acceptable 3:1 ratio, and removal will not adversely affect the tree's form or vitality.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0088
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0088
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Decision
- Part allowed/part refused
- Received
- 23 Mar 2026
- Validated
- 23 Mar 2026
- Decided
- 18 May 2026
- Ward
- Furzeham With Summercombe
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ5 8HA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
23 Mar 2026
Received by Torbay
-
18 May 2026
Decision issued: Part allowed/part refused
-
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
-
2 Manor Terrace Higher Manor Road Brixham Devon TQ5 8HB
Removal of a Palm Tree in front garden because of excessive shading and fouling telephone cables.
Granted Trees 1 doc -
Cumber House Vicarage Close Brixham TQ5 8HD
G1 - Tree group adjacent to Vicarage hill including Holm Oak, Ash, Sycamore, to be crown lifted to provide 5.2m clearance from road to prevent further damage to trees and provide highway clearance. T1 Pine - One heavily end weighted limb growing over vicarage hill to be pruned back to main stem. Deadwood removed.
Granted Trees -
12 Vicarage Close Brixham TQ5 8JQ
(T1 in report/sketch plan Holm Oak at 11 Vicarage Close Monitor only) No work at present T2 Monterey Pine Fell to ground level and replace with Scots Pine. Tree is in poor condition with sparse foliage and suppressed by T3. Low amenity value. T3 Monterey Pine Sectionally dismantle subsiding/hung up stem and fell to ground level, retaining other vertical stem. Stem is partially dead and is hung up in T2.
Granted Trees 5 docs -
33A New Road Brixham TQ5 8NB
75% historically approved · decision due ~21 Oct
Change of use of garage to affordable residential unit. Alterations to fenestration.
Awaiting decision Full applications Windows or glazing -
Westbury Guest House 51 New Road Brixham TQ5 8NL
Change of use from Guest House to Dwelling.
Granted Full applications 19 docsDomestic -
17 New Road Brixham TQ5 8NA
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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