Planning application
Cary Castle Cary Castle Drive Torquay TQ1 4QZ
Works: Trees
Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.
Proposal
The following tree works are proposed in accordance with the recommendations contained within the Arboricultural Survey & Tree Risk Report prepared by Topp Tree Care Ltd dated 19 May 2026. The proposed works are intended to proactively manage mature Lime trees situated adjacent to residential dwellings, access roads, parking areas and pedestrian routes, in order to reduce excessive end-weight loading, mitigate foreseeable branch failure risk, and establish a sustainable cyclical management regime whilst retaining the significant amenity value of the tree population in accordance with BS3998:2010 Tree Work Recommendations. T0033, T0031, T0029, T0027, T0025, T0023, T0021, T0019, T0017, T0015, T0013 & T0011 European Lime (Tilia x europaea): Undertake selective and sympathetic crown reductions of approximately 2.0?3.0 metres throughout the outer canopy, with particular emphasis on reducing elongated lateral growth and excessive end-weight over adjacent dwellings, gardens, parking areas and access routes. Works to be carried out by reduction back to suitable secondary growth points whilst retaining a natural and balanced crown form appropriate to the species. T0007 ? European Lime (Tilia x europaea): Undertake a light crown reduction and selective end-weight reduction of approximately 1.5?2.0 metres to elongated lateral limbs and upper co-dominant scaffold structure to reduce mechanical loading and wind sail. Remove ivy from the lower stem and primary unions and undertake routine monitoring of the co-dominant union structure. T0005 & T0003 ? European Lime (Tilia x europaea): Undertake light crown reduction and selective end-weight reduction of approximately 10?15% throughout the outer canopy to reduce loading on historic scaffold unions and constrained basal structures adjacent to the retaining wall. Remove minor deadwood and ivy growth from the lower stem and buttress areas to facilitate future inspection and ongoing management. Group G001 ? European Lime Group: Remov
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0139
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0139
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Decision
- Part allowed/part refused
- Received
- 21 May 2026
- Validated
- 2 Jun 2026
- Decided
- 22 Jul 2026
- Ward
- St Marychurch
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 4QZ
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
21 May 2026
Received by Torbay
-
2 Jun 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
22 Jul 2026
Decision issued: Part allowed/part refused
-
1 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Topp Tree Care Agent, a tree-works contractor registered in Newton Abbot
Active · incorporated 2025 · Newton Abbot
35 applications on PlanIndex · across 2 councils · 54% granted
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Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
Documents on file for this application
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Open the documentsWhat 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.
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Other tree works applications
In Torbay
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AT/2026/0248 Decided
Holtye Stitchill Road Torquay TQ1 1PZ
5 Day Notice T1 - Dead pollarded Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) Sectionally dismantle, fell and remove dead tree, leaving the cut stump at a finished height of approximately 1.0 metre abou ground level.
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AT/2026/0245 Awaiting decision
Flat 1 Kingsbridge Greenway Road Torquay TQ1 4NJ
T001 - Mature Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Observations: Mature beech with a substantial fungal fruiting body present at the base of the stem, visually consistent with Ganoderma spp. Sounding of the lower stem with a sounding mallet produced a pronounced hollow response extending from the base to approximately 2 m above ground level on the road-facing side, indicating potentially significant internal dysfunction and decay within the lower main stem. The defect is located within the tree?s primary load-bearing region, where the main stem transfers crown loading into the root system. Decay or loss of sound wood in this area is therefore considered structurally significant. The full extent of internal decay and remaining residual wall thickness could not be quantified through ground-based inspection alone. The tree supports a large mature crown and is located immediately adjacent to a public highway, with pedestrians, moving and parked vehicles, and nearby residential properties within the potential failure zone. Recommendation: Dismantle T001 to near ground level. The recommendation is based on the presence of basal fungal decay, the pronounced hollow response extending approximately 2 m up the lower stem, and the location of the defect within the principal load-bearing region of the tree. These findings materially reduce confidence in the tree's long-term structural reliability. Although the tree provides significant local amenity value within the Conservation Area, this is considered outweighed by the extent and structural significance of the identified defects and the potential consequences of whole-tree or basal failure onto the adjacent highway and surrounding targets.
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AT/2026/0246 Awaiting decision
Coniston Lodge Rowdens Road Torquay TQ2 5AZ
Tree is Holm oak, see photos. Photo shows tree and then position in red dot to house Application is to thin the tree by 25 to 30 % (crown) and prune to clear overhead utility cables by 1 m . This work is required every couple of years to keep the tree healthy and so as not to interfere with cables to house.
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AT/2026/0242 Granted
Upton Manor Orchard Upton Manor Road Brixham TQ5 9RB
5 Day Notice Removal of large dead Spruce tree Removal of dead Cherry tree See Photos
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AT/2026/0214 Granted
Alta Vista Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
Recent emergency approved felling of two older Lime trees in next door neighbour's garden precipitated a check on our own Lime Tree sic. Precautionary Work is requested on Trunk 2 of a large mature Lime Tree in south part of our property. Sketch Plan Lime Tree position refers . The Lime tree has 4 Trunks from ground level - numbering from left to right in provided Photo Lime Tree 1 of 4 Trunk 2. Photo Lime Tree 2 of 4 shows vis discoloration separation of Trunk 2 from Trunk 3. Separation >=12cm August 2026. No previous measurement. Photo Lime Tree 3 of 4 shows southern inclination of Trunk 2 and extended southern branch growth giving increasing weight leverage/imbalance. Photo Lime Tree 4 of 4 shows extent of recent years Beefsteak fungus at base of Trunk 2 - width c 25cms August 2026. Condition of Lime Tree discussed on site with Jamie, Trees in Need who has managed bi-annually maintenance on our trees for c 20 years. Fungal infection currently appears to be on Trunk 2 base but Trunk 2 is closely twinned with Trunk 3 at this level. Trunk 3 is however largely vertical and foliage more balanced and therefore less at longer term risk. So Imminent/emergency danger of Trunk 2 failure not likely but following precautionary action suggested Requested permission for following Action for Trunk 2. Remove all top growth c 6/7 meter level as show in Photo Lime Tree 3 where extended South lateral growth is prominent to provide a largely vertical Trunk with reduced weight /leverage . Continue to monitor Trunk 2 & 3 separation and Fungal growth.