Planning application
AT/2026/0130
Oakwood Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QP
Proposal
Sycamore T1 requires a reduction to shorten and remove the damaged branches because its outer crown was struck during the same failure event that caused the neighbouring Sycamore to collapse with full root plate uplift. The impact forces generated by that failure caused tearing and breakage in the outer canopy of T1, leaving exposed wounds that cannot occlude effectively and now serve as direct entry points for decay fungi and other pathogens. The removal of damaged, weakened and pathogen-susceptible branches restores a stable canopy form and reduces mechanical stress on the remaining structure. This represents a reasonable and proportionate intervention to address recent impact-related damage and to prevent foreseeable deterioration, consistent with BS3998 and NTSG principles. Beech T2 fell because its root plate had been disturbed following the recent failure of the adjacent Sycamore. The site is a former quarry, and the Beech grows directly on exposed rock, where rooting depth and lateral spread are naturally restricted. Trees in this environment rely on a small number of structural roots that penetrate fissures in the rock, making their anchorage highly dependent on the integrity of those few attachment points. When the neighbouring Sycamore failed with full root plate uplift, as confirmed in the five-day notice, the collapse generated significant mechanical shock and ground disturbance within the same rooting zone. In a quarry setting, such disturbance can loosen or shear anchoring roots, reduce frictional contact between roots and rock, and create voids beneath the root plate without producing obvious external symptoms. The combination of restricted rooting due to the quarry substrate, the recent destabilising failure immediately adjacent, and the observable disturbance around the Beechs root plate now increases the likelihood of progressive or sudden root-plate rotation beyond a tolerable threshold. Because anchorage lost in fractured rock cannot be restor
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0130
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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18 May 2026
Received by Torbay
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1 Jun 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
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22 Jul 2026
Decision issued: Approval
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1 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
What 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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AT/2026/0126 Refused
1 Marlborough Avenue Torquay TQ1 1TT
T1 - Beech Tree to have a 1.5m reduction on the West side of the crown of the over extended limbs to help balance the shape of the tree.
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AT/2024/0276 Granted
Glenthorne Lower Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1QP
T1 Lawson Cypress - Remove. S2 Bay - Remove. T4 Weeping Cherry - Crown reduce lateral branches on east and south sides by 0.5 -0.75m, pruning back to suitable growth points. The current height is 1.5m, spread is 2m north, east and south, 1.5m west. The post pruning dimensions would be 1.5m height, 1.25-1.5m east and south, 1.5m west. T5 Yew - Remove. T6 Lawson Cypress - Remove. T7 Holm Oak - Remove. T8 Lawson Cypress - Remove. T9 Lawson Cypress - Crown reduce height by 1m, to manage as a hedge. The existing height is 3m, the post pruning height would be 2m. The spread remains the same. S10 Silk Tassel Bush - Crown reduce by 1-2m, pruning back to suitable growth points. The existing height is 4m, the spread is 0m north, 2m east and west, 3m south. The post pruning dimensions would be 3m high, 0m north, 1m east and west, 1-2m south. T11 Yew - Remove. T12 Yew - Crown reduce height by 1-2m, pruning back to suitable growth points. The existing height is 4m, the post pruning height would be 2-3m. T13 Holly - Crown reduce height by 1m, to manage as a hedge. The existing height is 5m, the post pruning height would be 4m. Spread remains the same. G14 Lawson Cypress - Remove. T15 Japanese Maple - Crown reduce longest branches by 0.5-1m, to provide space for adjacent Monkey Puzzle to south. The existing height is 3m, the spread is 3m north and west, 2.5m east and 2m south. The post pruning height would be 2.5m, the spread would be 2m north and west, 2m east and 1m south. The rear garden has lacked long term management works for the last decade and is densely populated with vegetation. A number of trees and shrubs have outgrown their context. Pruning works / removals are recommended in order to allow reasonable usage of the garden, and to prioritise space for better quality vegetation. See accompanying report and plan for further details. Note: works to T3 yew have been applied for as part of a separate TPO tree works application.
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AT/2026/0180 Awaiting decision
7 Marlborough Avenue Torquay TQ1 1TT
G1 - Dismantle and fell x6 small Lawson Cypress due to close proximity of the home plus causing excessive shading. Trees outside of risk zone to remain and no works carried out on the existing hedge line behind. low amenity value and recommend replanting smaller garden trees/shrubs.
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AT/2026/0192 Awaiting decision
Woodsome Woodend Road Torquay TQ1 2PZ
T001- Holm Oak - Sectional Dismantle, See tree survey for justification.
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AT/2026/0164 Awaiting decision
Hughenden Lodge Woodend Road Torquay TQ1 2PZ
T1 - Cypress: Fell to near ground level.
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AT/2026/0147 Awaiting decision
Pillars 15 Wellswood Avenue Torquay TQ1 2QE
T1- sycamore. Sectional fell/ dismantle to ground level. The tree has been hard pruned in previous years leaving and unbalanced crown overhanging neighboring property?s and garden areas what are in consistent use. Large wounds have been left also one large pruning cut at the main union. Also a rather large included union at secondary crown break. A re plant will be advised to the customer.
Other trees applications
In Torbay
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AT/2026/0183 Granted
Torre C Of E Academy Barton Road Torquay TQ1 4DN
We are planning to conduct emergancy tree work on a dead tree at Torre Church of England Academy, Barton Road, Torquay, TQ1 4DN
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AT/2026/0194 Awaiting decision
Cedars House Cedars Road Torquay TQ1 1SB
T1 remove epicormic growth on main stem up to height of adjacent wall (2m) T2 pollard at 4.5m.
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AT/2026/0190 Awaiting decision
19 Luscombe Close Paignton Torbay TQ3 3GQ
T1 - Sycamore rear of 19 Luscombe rd - Section fell to ground level due to it out growing the space where it is growing. T2 - Sycamore - Remove limb approximately 150 mm in diameter, crossing over garden, due to being over extended and tip heavy.
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AT/2026/0191 Awaiting decision
Rowcroft Avenue Road Torquay TQ2 5LS
T 030 - Multiple stemmed lapsed sycamore coppice. Growing on bank bordering road and in striking distance of third party properties to the north and south. Two primary stems to the north have been pollarded down to 3m. The eastern most stem has since died with large area of bark necrosis at 1.5m - 3m. The northern most stem which has had a primary limb pollarded is in severe decline with bark necrosis to the north at 2m. If the two stems are removed the remaining canopy will be biased totaly to the south and west and will be open to additional wind loading. Recommendations - Pollard to level already established, approximately 3m. Please see report excerpt for photos.
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AT/2026/0192 Awaiting decision
Woodsome Woodend Road Torquay TQ1 2PZ
T001- Holm Oak - Sectional Dismantle, See tree survey for justification.