Planning application
AT/2026/0165
Warberry Lodge Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
Proposal
Lime (T1) - I am writing to give formal notice under the five day exemption for urgent works to T1 Lime at Warberry Lodge, Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD. The tree is a lapsed pollard that has recently suffered a catastrophic limb failure, resulting in the loss of approximately half of its crown. The failure has exposed extensive, structurally unsound wood at the historic pollard head and left the remaining crown severely imbalanced, with significant torsional loading on the remaining scaffold limbs. The remaining structure is now asymmetrical and unstable, subject to further unpredictable failure, compromised at the old pollard points, and located directly above a regularly occupied garden with pedestrian access beneath the crown. Given the scale of the failure and the compromised structural integrity of the remaining crown, the tree now presents an immediate and unacceptable risk. The situation meets the criteria for urgent works under the exemption. The tree is a lapsed pollard. Although decay is present within the historic pollard head, the management option is to reintroduce the pollard cycle. Re-pollarding will significantly reduce crown mass and place greater leverage on the weakened pollard head, lowering the risk of structural failure while retaining the tree within the landscape. However, it will also add extra stress from heavy reduction and heat waves, possibly causing the tree to weaken further.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0165
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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30 Jun 2026
Received by Torbay
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2 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/2024/0259 Granted
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P/2010/1396 Granted
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AT/2026/0194 Awaiting decision
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AT/2026/0180 Awaiting decision
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AT/2023/0058 Decided
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AT/2026/0126 Refused
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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
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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
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