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Planning application

Greycliffe Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

Refused Torbay AT/2026/0096 Works To Tree Within TPO

Works: Trees

Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.

Proposal

T1 - Lime Crown reduction by up to 3 m across the entire canopy, proportionally decreasing height and lateral spread. Final pruning cuts should be made at the positions shown in the submitted photographs (red-marked cut points). All cuts to be made to suitable secondary growth points, preserving a balanced, natural crown shape. Maximum wound size should be kept as small as practicable and in line with BS3998:2010 Tree Work - Recommendations. Justification for Works The tree shows poor bifurcation, developing a single dominant stem with limited structural division. Crown reduction will decrease end-weight, reduce mechanical stress, and help maintain the tree at a size suitable for its environment. The works are preventative and aim to keep the tree structurally sound. T2 - Horse Chestnut Crown reduction by up to 3 metres, maintaining the natural crown shape. Final pruning cuts should follow the positions shown in the submitted photographs. Pruning aims to reduce end-weight and mechanical loading on the cavity located just below the first-order branch junction. All cuts are to be made to appropriate secondary growth points, in accordance with BS3998:2010. Justification for Work A cavity is present below the first-order branch junction, which reduces the structural integrity at a key load-bearing point. Crown reduction will decrease lever arm forces acting on the defective area and mitigate the risk of branch or stem failure. The work is proportionate, preventive, and intended to safely retain the tree.

As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0096

Application record

Reference
AT/2026/0096
Type
Works To Tree Within TPO
Status
Decided
Decision
Refused As published: Refusal
Received
31 Mar 2026
Validated
2 Apr 2026
Decided
26 May 2026
Ward
Ellacombe
Decision by
Delegated
Postcode
TQ1 1QY

Site history

Applications at this address on the Torbay register

This site has had 3 applications since 2020: 1 approved, 1 refused.

  • AT/2024/0214 Granted

    Greycliffe Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

    Oak (T1) - Height reduction by 2 metres and western crown reduction to achieve clearance from BT lane approx. 2 metres because it has a significantly unbalanced crown (lean more than 45 degrees), improve the appearance of the asymmetrical shape due to shading from neighbouring taller trees. Tree targeting car park and main entrance for the care house.

    Decided 25 Sep 2024 Trees
  • AT/2020/0057 Decided

    Greycliffe Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

    Fell decaying pittosporum tree at Greycliffe Manor Residential Home. We are planning to remove this tree on Tuesday 25th February as it poses a threat as it is positioned in the centre of a car parking area. I'm presuming you would agree that permission in this case in not needed due to the condition of the tree .

    Decided 15 Jan 2021 Trees

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 31 Mar 2026

    Received by Torbay

  2. 2 Apr 2026

    Validated

    Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

  3. 26 May 2026

    Decision issued: Refusal

  4. 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 documents

What 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

  • Greycliffe Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

    AT/2024/0214 Submitted 12 Aug 2024 50 yards away

    Oak (T1) - Height reduction by 2 metres and western crown reduction to achieve clearance from BT lane approx. 2 metres because it has a significantly unbalanced crown (lean more than 45 degrees), improve the appearance of the asymmetrical shape due to shading from neighbouring taller trees. Tree targeting car park and main entrance for the care house.

    Granted Trees 5 docs
  • Greycliffe Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

    AT/2020/0057 Submitted 19 Feb 2020 50 yards away

    Fell decaying pittosporum tree at Greycliffe Manor Residential Home. We are planning to remove this tree on Tuesday 25th February as it poses a threat as it is positioned in the centre of a car parking area. I'm presuming you would agree that permission in this case in not needed due to the condition of the tree .

    Decided Trees 5 docs
  • Notts Hill House Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QY

    AT/2025/0262 Submitted 25 Aug 2025 100 yards away

    T1 Holm Oak - Pollard to approx 6m, currently heavily weighted over road and entrance way. T2 Copper Beech - Reduce lateral spread by 2-3m, currently heavily weighted over car park T3 Sycamore - Fell tree due to major decline and visible cavity, grows over security fence. T5 Sycamore - Reduce to 5m in order to maintain as part of hedge, currently canopy is growing close to building T7 Holm Oak - Reduce by 3m, currently growing under & through BT lines, reduce to give clearance. T12 Sycamore - Fell tree due to growing on edge of road, canopy extends over road, included union at base. T13 Holm Oak - Reduce by 2m, currently suppressing neighbouring trees, heavily leaning towards entrance way & road T16 - Corsican Pine - Fell tree, heavily leaning over road, in decline sparce canopy with dead wood and die back. T18 Wild Cherry - Remove lowest branch - over extended with climber growing at end of branch, union poor.

    Refused Trees
    Small domestic
  • 2 Hillesdon Road Torquay TQ1 1QQ

    P/2021/0709 Submitted 10 Jun 2021 150 yards away

    Single storey extension to rear.

    Granted Householder Extension 8 docs
    Small domestic
  • 38A Warberry Road West Torquay TQ1 1NT

    P/2020/1239 Submitted 25 Nov 2020 150 yards away

    Provision of on-site parking, including removal of wall and construction of gates (see accompanying application P/2020/1240)

    Refused Full applications 20 docs
  • 38A Warberry Road West Torquay TQ1 1NT

    P/2020/1240 Submitted 25 Nov 2020 150 yards away

    Provision of on-site parking, including removal of wall and construction of gates (see accompanying application P/2020/1239)

    Refused Heritage and listed buildings 13 docs

In Torbay

  • 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.

    Received 22 Jul, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    Received 3 Aug, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees