Planning application
Former Palace Hotel Land Adjacent To Babbacombe Road And Ansteys Cove Road Babbacombe
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
T028 - Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. nigra) Sectionally dismantle and fell the tree, as identified and marked with orange paint, employing appropriate lowering and rigging techniques to safely and progressively control the descent of each section in accordance with industry best practice. Replant with 8-10 Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. nigra) T1847 - Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. nigra) Sectionally dismantle and fell the tree, as identified and marked with paint, employing appropriate controlled dismantling techniques. Replant with 8-10 Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. nigra) T1846 - Ash (Fraxinus spp.) Sectionally dismantle and fell the tree, as marked with paint, using appropriate controlled cutting and dismantling techniques. T1846- Vitality poor - tree in decline with poor physiological condition. Tree is in an area which lacks direct and indirect natural sunlight therefore replanting is not considered appropriate. T1848 - Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) Sectionally dismantle and fell the tree, employing appropriate lowering techniques in accordance with current arboricultural standards. T1948 - Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Sectionally dismantle and fell the tree to ground level using appropriate controlled dismantling methods. All cut material shall be processed into manageable lengths and stacked neatly within the woodland area in designated windrows or habitat piles, in accordance with good arboricultural and ecological practice. The site shall be left in a safe, clean, and tidy condition upon completion. T1948- Vitality poor - multi stemmed tree with significant dieback in the upper canopy which has resulted in branch failure throughout. Severe decline likely to continue due to poor physiological condition. Replant with 8-10 Silver birch (Betula pendula)
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0106
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0106
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Approval
- Received
- 14 Apr 2026
- Validated
- 28 Apr 2026
- Decided
- 9 Jun 2026
- Ward
- Wellswood
- Decision by
- Delegated
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
14 Apr 2026
Received by Torbay
-
28 Apr 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
9 Jun 2026
Decision issued: Approval
-
12 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Agent on file, a tree-works contractor registered in Torquay
142 applications on PlanIndex · across 10 councils · 86% granted
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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 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
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- Anstey's Cove Road Torquay TQ1 3TE
Anstey's Cove Road; x1 Mature Holm Oak (leaning heavily over the road) - reduce the Holm Oak Tree, adhering to the 30% maximum reduction (as recommended within the officer report AT/2024/0200) of the leaf bearing canopy. Canopy Reduction Specification for the Holm Oak on Anstey's Cove Road; Current Canopy Extents (taken from centre of canopy) - North: 7 metres - East: 6 metres - South: 3 metres - West: 5 metres - Canopy height: 11 metres - Tree height: 16 metres Current Canopy Area- leaf bearing - Estimated Canopy Area: 86.39 m2 Adjusted Canopy Area (Considering 20% Gaps) - Adjusted Canopy Area: 69.12 m2 Target Canopy Area (30% Reduction) - Target Area: 48.38 m2 New Radial Spreads After Reduction - North: 5.0 metres (rounded up or back marginally) - South: 3.0 metres (not being pruned) - East: 5.0 metres (rounded up or back marginally) - West: 4.0 metres (rounded up or back marginally) Height Reduction - Original Canopy Height: 11 metres - Height Reduction: 1.8 metres - New Canopy Height: 9.2 metres (11m - 1.8m) - New Total Tree Height: 14.2 metres (16m - 1.8m) This specification achieves an overall 30% reduction in size, including both canopy spread and height, and accounts for the 20% canopy gaps. This balanced reduction will look to maintain the tree natural shape and a good network of sub lateral, foliage bearing material. No branches larger than 65mm in diameter shall be removed. All work shall be carried out in accordance with BS 3998:2010 Tree Work - Recommendations. All cuts shall be made to a suitable growth point or secondary branch that is at least one-third the diameter of the parent branch to promote healthy regrowth and maintain the natural shape of the tree. Justification: The Holm Oak is a group of trees, with one tree (tree 1) growing on the North eastern side and two further trees to the South. Tree 1, growing on the North eastern side (the focus of this application) leans over the highway Anstey's Cove Road and into the new development site; ...
Granted Trees 3 docs -
Sachs Lodge Asheldon Road Torquay TQ1 2ER
T1 Holme Oak Quercus ilex t1 is situated on the edge of the woodland under a TPO area as marked on the map attached. This tree has been reduced in the past in order to maintain the trees closest to the gardens and keep the woodland safe from failing limbs and allow more light into the under canopy of the woodland and gardens. once a tree has been reduced the branch unions of re- growth is weaker that natural growth. therefore needs to be regularly maintained. I would like to reduce T1 to previous points making pruning cuts on vertical growth of 10cm in diameter or less T2 Wild Cherry Prunus avium T2 is situated on the edge of the woodland under a TPO area as marked on the map attached. This tree has been reduced in the past in order to maintain the trees closest to the gardens and keep the woodland safe from failing limbs and allow more light into the under canopy of the woodland and gardens. once a tree has been reduced the branch unions of re- growth are weaker than natural growth. therefore needs to be regularly maintained. I would like to reduce and reshape this tree by 30% this will including making pruning cuts on vertical growth up to 10cm in diameter or less and pruning cuts on horizontal growth of 5cm in diameter or less. leaving a natural shape and in keeping with the woodland surroundings. T3 Wild Cherry Prunus avium t3 is in the centre of the woodland and has never been maintained some of the limbs are becoming heavily weighted worrying residents of its safety. I would like to reduce and reshape this tree by 20% this will including making pruning cuts on vertical growth up to 5cm in diameter or less and pruning cuts on horizontal growth of 5cm in diameter or less. leaving a natural shape and in keeping with the woodland surroundings. T4 English oak Quercus robar T4 is situated on the edge of the woodland and within 2 metres of the building under a TPO area as marked on the map attached. This tree has been reduced in the past in order to mai
Granted Trees -
Sachs Lodge Asheldon Road Torquay TQ1 2ER
T1 Cedar of Lebanon: Fell and remove - safety reasons.
Granted Trees -
375 Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3TB
T1 Oak to have western aspect of canopy reduced by up to 1.0 m to reduce end weight over neighbouring property. N/E/S Sides to be target pruned by up to 1.0m to re-gain canopy form. Deadwood removed.
Granted Trees 4 docs -
Georgian Court Babbacombe Road Torquay TQ1 3TF
T1 - Ash: Pollard at approximately 5m above ground level. Reason for works: The tree is showing symptoms consistent with Ash Dieback. The condition is expected to progressively decline as a result of the disease, with recovery considered unlikely. Suggested pollard at approx. 5m with a 5-year re-pollarding management cycle.
Refused Trees -
Site Adjacent 1 Lydwell Park Road Torquay TQ1 3TQ
Construction of dwelling with amenity space and car parking. Variation of Conditions relating to application P/2022/0535. To amend Conditions: P1 - Approved Plans, 02 - External Materials and 06 - Electric Vehicle Charging Points and remove condition 04 - Green Roof.
Refused Amendments 23 docsDomestic
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AT/2026/0171 Granted
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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.
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AT/2026/0216 Granted
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AT/2026/0233 Awaiting decision
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AT/2026/0234 Awaiting decision
12 Mena Park Close Paignton TQ4 7TA
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AT/2026/0166 Granted
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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