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Planning application

8 Hesketh Mews Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LT

Refused Torbay AT/2026/0175 Works To Tree Within TPO

Works: Trees

Refused. Only the applicant can appeal, within the statutory time limit, and a revised scheme can be submitted instead.

Proposal

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 ?

As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0175

Application record

Reference
AT/2026/0175
Type
Works To Tree Within TPO
Status
Awaiting decision
Decision
Part allowed/part refused
Received
16 Jul 2026
Validated
23 Jul 2026
Decided
3 Sep 2026
Ward
Wellswood
Decision by
Delegated
Postcode
TQ1 2LT

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 16 Jul 2026

    Received by Torbay

  2. 23 Jul 2026

    Validated

    Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

  3. 26 Jul 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

  4. 16 Aug 2026

    Status changed to Awaiting decision

    Previously Registered.

  5. 3 Sep 2026

    Decision issued: Part allowed/part refused

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

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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.

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What 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.

Nearby applications

Within 500 metres

  • Hesketh Mews Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LT

    AT/2023/0044 Submitted 13 Feb 2023 3m away

    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
  • Kendall Residential Home Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ

    AT/2024/0219 Submitted 16 Aug 2024 36m away

    1. Reduction of overall height and removal of any unsafe branches to (T1) Holm Oak which is on the northern boundary to the property, adjacent to the highway of Meadfoot Sea Road. There have been a significant number of branches that have fallen, even in only mild winds, onto cars beneath and narrowly missing pedestrians on the public pavement and highway of Meadfoot Sea Road. 2. Cut down (T2) Acer Pseudoplatanus Sycamore to a height of 2m, removing all branches. The tree has grown very large and is growing dangerously on a steep, unstable bank on the Eastern boundary to the property, bordering the Hotel Balmoral and its guest car park, directly above a pedestrian walkway. Branch union is weak because of regrowth. Branches are currently touching neighboring property's wall, guttering and roof with potential to cause damage and damp. The tree was noted in 2006 to be middle aged and of general poor form as per previous application AT/2006/0102. Significant risk that it will damage the neighboring property and / or persons beneath it. As per shown on photos

    Refused Trees 3 docs
  • Meadfoot Bay Hotel Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ

    P/2024/0653 Submitted 24 Sep 2024 43m away

    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 docs
    Several homes
  • Meadfoot Bay Hotel Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ

    AT/2021/0211 Submitted 15 Jun 2021 47m away

    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
  • Southern Comfort Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ

    AT/2026/0143 Submitted 28 May 2026 82m away

    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

    Decided Trees
    Small domestic
  • Southern Comfort Meadfoot Sea Road Torquay TQ1 2LQ

    AT/2021/0054 Submitted 9 Feb 2021 82m away

    Eucalyptus niphophila, dead, replacement not required

    Granted Trees 6 docs

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.

    15 Sep 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    10 Sep 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    10 Sep 2026 Trees
  • 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

    8 Sep 2026 Trees
  • 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.

    12 Aug 2026 Trees