Planning application
Alta Vista Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
Works: Trees
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
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.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0214
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0214
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Registered
- Received
- 12 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 18 Aug 2026
- Ward
- Wellswood
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 1SD
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
12 Aug 2026
Received by Torbay
-
18 Aug 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
23 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 13 October 2026, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
Torbay took a median of 62 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
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 documentsWhat happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with Torbay for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
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
-
Warberry Lodge Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
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.
Granted Trees -
Little Spinney Windsor Road Torquay TQ1 1SW
2. T2 Lime - pollard to points just above previous pollard points. Cyclically re-pollard when the regrowth reaches 4 metres. 3. T3 Lime - pollard to points just above previous pollard points. Cyclically re-pollard when the regrowth reaches 4 metres. 4. T4 Lime - management works: Prune back over the highway by 2m, clearing road sign, pruning secondary limbs only. Cyclically prune when branches obscure road sign, pruning secondary limbs only.
Granted Trees 2 docs -
Alta Vista Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
Mature Ilex at side of approach driveway forming part of a mixed group of trees on the boundary of the property with the Wellswood path. Position of the Ilex and surrounding trees shown on appended site Sketch Plan. As only one tree is subject to this application, this is marked as ILEX in red box and not numbered. Work is requested to carry out reduction in the top third crown of the tree canopy through thinning /drop-crotch to maintain ongoing health of the tree and reduce the Ilex's dominance/impact on the other surrounding trees. Note all other Ilex trees in the property have been previously reduced during regular approved maintenance.
Refused Trees -
Flat 2 Tall Trees Windsor Road Torquay Devon TQ1 1SW
Installation of 2 PVCu windows; open window next to door 1.200m high by 0.500m wide in white PVCu
Granted Full applications Windows or glazing 13 docs -
Alta Vista Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
TPO Trees T6 Multi trunk Chestnut - Main Trunk :Large N limb fell in 1990s, Cancer noted At/2012/0017,AT /2015/001. Moribund state noted A M Lane Ltd Report 5/3/2020. This Trunk now confirmed dead, no rejuvenation growth: Proposed Action : Staged reduction & removal of trunk in Autumn 2021 Secondary Trunks : Some growth after pollarding : Proposed Action : Retain & monitor health. T3 Hornbeam: Proposed action : Routine maintenance to contain height of tree : Reduce recent growth by c 10%: AT /2015
Granted Trees 6 docs -
Alta Vista Higher Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1SD
Conservation Trees : Internal Driveway to Alta Vista SW side D1 Holm Oak - Leading tree - single trunk, balanced shape , prominent position - no action D3 Holm Oak - Split trunk at c 1.5 metre height. No husbandry in our ownership c 35years. Rear trunk #2 branches extend and now impacts into top part of Pine D2. Facing trunk #1 - secondary branches now over shadowing /potentially crowding younger beech D4. Proposed action: Remove rear trunk #2 and branches impacting on Pine D2. Remove some secondary branches Trunk #1 and carry out heavy pollard to eliminate crowding adjacent trees , in particular young beech D4. Reshape D3
Granted Trees 3 docs
Other trees applications
In Torbay
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AT/2026/0171 Granted
2 High Grove Sunbury Hill Torquay TQ1 3ED
Trim branch's back slightly from touching our property and roof space to stop damage and further accidents from happening. Silver Birch Tree Pruning Reduce the branches that are hanging over the roof and gutter. Cut back to appropriate growth points. Tree will be climbed and rigged down. By cutting away from gutters and roof - it should reduce future damage to the property. All work to be carried out by qualified and insured arborists. All waste to be removed responsibly and under license.
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AT/2026/0216 Granted
Brantwood Rowdens Road Torquay TQ2 5AZ
All trees 1-6 to be removed completely, most are not identifiable as they are completely dead. All trees below an approximate height of twelve meters, and we wish to remove them as they are dead. We also want to remove the dead foliage on the slope to the side of the property, and cut back growth to a manageable condition for future maintenance. I have not been able to find specific tree preservation numbers for the trees 1-6 but I understand we are located in a conservation area and have therefor submitted this application.
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AT/2026/0233 Awaiting decision
South Ridge Middle Lincombe Road Torquay TQ1 2NE
T1 - cedar. Reduce the lateral spread/end-loading on 3 x low limbs on the west side of the tree by 2.5m, from 9.5m to 7m.
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AT/2026/0234 Awaiting decision
12 Mena Park Close Paignton TQ4 7TA
T1 Leyland cypress T2 Spruce We would like to fell both these trees, the spruce is cladded in ivy and poor form. The Leyland Cypress is again of poor form and completely over powering this garden. To replace these with Beech trees would make sense.
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AT/2026/0166 Granted
3 Roundham Road Paignton Torbay TQ4 6EZ
Oak T 1 - Reduce lateral crown spread over the roof by up to 1. 1.5m, targeting only branches encroaching towards the property. Works to follow BS 3998: 2010 principles: retain natural form, prune back to suitable secondary growth, avoid creating large wounds, and maintain a balanced crown shape. The crown is in direct contact with the roofline, causing abrasion, debris accumulation, and increased maintenance needs. A modest reduction restores safe clearance while retaining the tree's amenity value. Oak T 2 and T 3 - Pollard the tree at an appropriate height to manage structural decline associated with Ganoderma. Retain a stable framework of sound scaffold branches; cuts to be made at suitable points to allow future cyclical management. All works to follow BS 3998: 2010 and be proportionate to the tree's condition and location. The tree shows signs consistent with Ganoderma decay, reducing structural reliability. Pollarding is a recognised BS 3998 management option for declining trees where retention is desirable but full crown load is no longer appropriate. This approach prolongs safe retention, reduces risk, and avoids premature removal. Cedar T 4 - Remove deadwood =40mm diameter and any unstable smaller deadwood throughout the crown. Deadwood is present in the crown, posing a risk to the garden and adjacent access areas. Beech G 1 - Lift branches over the road to a minimum height of 5.2m (standard UK highway clearance for vehicle routes). Lift branches over the pavement to a minimum height of 2.1m (standard pedestrian clearance). Where applicable, lift branches over cycleways to 2.5?m. Remove or shorten only those branches that obstruct safe passage or visibility, in accordance with Highways Act 1980 s 154. Pruning to follow BS 3998: 2010 prune to suitable secondary growth points, avoid excessive thinning, and retain group structure. The Beech group is producing low lateral growth that obstructs the public highway, affecting safe pedestrian and vehicle move