Planning application
Southern Comfort Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
Works: Trees Small domestic
Read from the description, not a valuation. How we read the register
Decided. The decision notice on the council portal carries the outcome in full, including any conditions.
Proposal
I am applying to remove one large Eucalyptus nitens. This tree is growing close to the boundary with Suncourt about half-way between the highway and the house. It is in the region of 20m in height. General The garden has been carefully designed and has been noted for the variety and quality of its plants. The area around the tree is tightly planted with trees (as can be see from Drawing_01) including the following: Gleditsia triacanthos, Magnolia officinalis var biloba, Phoenix canariensis, Magnolia grandiflora, Catalpa bignionoides 'Aurea', . All these are large including the P. canariensis. There is a smaller Butia capitata and a Cornus cousa further away. In addition there are large shrubs including a Japanese maple, Tetrapanax, Viburnum and Camellia Glycerinia as a windbreak, Pseudopanax ferox as well as countless Trachycarpus fortunei. There is a large plane tree in the highway which largely screens these plantings from the roadway, especially during summer. Reasons for works 1. In common with other Eucalyptus which I have had growing in the garden and which have quite rapidly died, this tree has a large scar on its western side. The dimensions of the scar are about 1300mm by 150mm (at the widest). The inner wood is fully exposed, is soft and is discoloured. This defect is not apparent from the eastern (our) side of the tree. I have been advised that this tree will probably not survive more than another year or two. It may be relevant that a much smaller neighbouring Eucalyptus niphophila has recently fully died. 2. My neighbour in Suncourt has been telling me that he is concerned that the tree is growing too close to his boundary wall and large paved area which he fears may be damaged by its shallow roots. 3. My main concern is that the tree - given its height and exposure to winds in the Meadfoot Valley - now poses a risk by falling either onto the Southern Comfort driveway or onto the Suncourt one. It is thus constitutes a danger to persons
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0143
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0143
- Type
- Works To Tree Within CA
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Decision
- Not to Propose TPO in CA
- Received
- 28 May 2026
- Validated
- 1 Jun 2026
- Decided
- 13 Jul 2026
- Ward
- Wellswood
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 2LQ
Site history
Applications at this address on the Torbay register
This site has had 2 applications since 2021: 1 approved, 0 refused.
-
AT/2021/0054 Granted
Southern Comfort Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
Eucalyptus niphophila, dead, replacement not required
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
28 May 2026
Received by Torbay
-
1 Jun 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
13 Jul 2026
Decision issued: Not to Propose TPO in CA
-
1 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 documentsAfter the decision
Torbay has decided this application; the outcome above is the register's own wording and the decision notice on the council portal carries the detail. 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 500 metres
-
Southern Comfort Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
Eucalyptus niphophila, dead, replacement not required
Granted Trees 6 docs -
Osborne House Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
Replacement of existing window with double doors to garden.
Granted Householder Windows or glazing 12 docsDomestic -
Hesketh Mews Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LT
T1 Tulip - to be reduced on the top by up to 1m to reduce wind sail, prune sides to ensure 2m clearance from the adjacent buildings
Refused Trees 4 docs -
8 Hesketh Mews Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LT
1x Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) Reduce the overall canopy of the tree as follows: Reduce the height of the tree by approximately 2.0 m, leaving a final overall height of approximately 10.0 m. Reduce the radial crown spread by approximately 1.50 m, leaving a final radial spread of approximately 5.50 m at all compass points. All works shall retain the tree?s main framework and natural form, maintaining a high proportion of the foliage-bearing structure. All final pruning cuts shall be made at suitable growth points in accordance with BS 3998:2010 Tree Work ? Recommendations. Crown lift all round by removing secondary and sub-lateral branch growth only, to provide a vertical clearance of approximately 2.4 metres between ground level and the lowest foliage tips, thereby achieving the desired clearance above the pavement and wall boundaries. Individual pruning wounds shall not exceed 40 mm in diameter. Tree Preservation Order/ Conservation Area Justification The proposed works are intended to provide long-term, sustainable management of this mature Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) whilst preserving its amenity value and natural form. The specified crown reduction is moderate in scale and will reduce the overall height by approximately 2.0 metres and the radial spread by approximately 1.5 metres, maintaining a balanced crown structure and retaining a high proportion of the foliage-bearing canopy. The works will improve natural light levels to the adjacent properties and garden areas, helping to reduce excessive shading without materially affecting the tree's visual contribution to the locality. The proposed crown lift to approximately 2.4 metres above ground level will provide appropriate pedestrian clearance over the adjacent pavement and improve clearance above the wall boundaries, reducing the likelihood of conflict between the tree and its surrounding built environment. All pruning works will be undertaken in accordance with BS 3998:2010 ? Tree Work ?
Refused Trees -
Meadfoot Bay Hotel Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
Change of use of Meadfoot Bay Hotel and the associated managers accommodation from C1 to C3 (residential). Demolition of single storey, flat-roofed side extension and subdivision into two houses with parking and amenity spaces.
Granted Full applications Extension Demolition 19 docsSeveral homes -
Meadfoot Bay Hotel Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ
T1 Ash - with an overall height of 5m, canker present, to be reduced by 1-2m to gain clearance from BT line. T2 Cypress to be crown lifted by 3m from ground level, reduce by 1m where encroaching BT line.
Granted Trees 3 docs
Other tree works applications
In Torbay
-
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.