Planning application
Norton Lea Solsbro Road Torquay TQ2 6PF
Works: Trees
Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.
Proposal
T001 - 1x Mature Holm Oak Reduce the height of 1x Primary stem by approximately 6.0 metres, leaving a final height of the stem at approximately 12 metres. Radial crown spread to remain un-affected 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. Individual pruning wounds shall not exceed 100 mm in diameter & pruning cuts made at suitable growth points in accordance with BS 39982010 Tree Work - Recommendations. 1x Primary stem exhibiting a large tear at the union - Sectionally dismantle back to the first suitable primary union to reduce the risk of failure while retaining the remaining tree structure where practicable. Works are specified to reduce weight loading and sail area on the affected stem whilst retaining a balanced and structurally appropriate crown form. Area Tree Preservation Order & Conservation Area Justification The proposed works relate to 1x Mature Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) identified as T001. The tree forms a prominent landscape feature, and the proposed works have been carefully specified to retain the tree's overall amenity contribution, natural form, and long-term viability whilst addressing identified structural concerns within the crown structure. Arboricultural justification- One primary stem is exhibiting a significant tear and structural weakness at the union, increasing the likelihood of stem failure under continued wind loading and canopy weight. The proposed reduction and partial dismantling works are therefore considered necessary on arboricultural and safety grounds in order to reduce mechanical stress, weight loading, and sail area acting upon the affected stem which in turn will increase the likelihood of whole stem failure. The proposed works comprise the reduction in height of the affected primary
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0169
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0169
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Decided
- Decision
- Approval
- Received
- 6 Jul 2026
- Validated
- 23 Jul 2026
- Decided
- 3 Sep 2026
- Ward
- Cockington With Chelston
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ2 6PF
Site history
Applications at this address on the Torbay register
This site has had 2 applications since 2024: 2 approved, 0 refused.
-
AT/2024/0229 Granted
Norton Lea Solsbro Road Torquay TQ2 6PF
T2, T3, T4, T5 - Crown raise to a height of 4m from ground level. G8 - Horse Chestnuts x 2 - To remove to ground level. G9 - remove Laburnum T6, T7 - Thin crown. Remove deadwood, minimal reduction 1m in places. G11 - 1 tree with major deadwood. Fell Tree. All boundary hedge - Shrubs to trim faces. Large Mimosa at front of property next to G11 to fell.
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
6 Jul 2026
Received by Torbay
-
23 Jul 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
1 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
12 Aug 2026
Status changed to Awaiting decision
Previously Registered.
-
3 Sep 2026
Decision issued: Approval
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Devon Tree Services Ltd Agent, a tree-works contractor registered in Torquay
Active · incorporated 2013 · Torquay
153 applications on PlanIndex · across 10 councils · 85% granted
Trade members see everything this firm has filed, how it was decided, and get an email the day it files again.
See their track recordDocuments
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 this grant of permission means
Torbay granted permission on 3 September 2026, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within three years or the permission lapses. 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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Norton Lea Solsbro Road Torquay TQ2 6PF
T2, T3, T4, T5 - Crown raise to a height of 4m from ground level. G8 - Horse Chestnuts x 2 - To remove to ground level. G9 - remove Laburnum T6, T7 - Thin crown. Remove deadwood, minimal reduction 1m in places. G11 - 1 tree with major deadwood. Fell Tree. All boundary hedge - Shrubs to trim faces. Large Mimosa at front of property next to G11 to fell.
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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.