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Planning application

Villa St Christopher Hesketh Road Torquay TQ1 2LN

Awaiting decision Torbay AT/2026/0226 Works To Tree Within TPO

Works: Trees

Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.

Proposal

T1 ? Horse Chestnut: Fell to ground level. The tree is growing directly on top of a loose, failing stone wall, with roots displacing the structure and voids forming beneath the root plate. The wall no longer provides stable support, and the tree stands on a slope where any failure would directly target the adjacent house and garden. The tree is far younger than the established 1973 Tree Preservation Order and does not form part of the original protected stock. Removal is a proportionate risk-based intervention to prevent further structural displacement and foreseeable harm to property. T2 ? Oak: Repollard to previous pollard points. The tree is an established pollard requiring cyclical management to maintain structural stability. A bracket fungus of the genus Ganoderma is present on the stem, indicating internal decay. Repollarding will reduce lever-arm length and end-weight, mitigating risk while retaining the existing pollard framework. All cuts will be made back to existing knuckles in accordance with BS3998:2010.

As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0226

Application record

Reference
AT/2026/0226
Type
Works To Tree Within TPO
Status
Awaiting decision
Received
20 Aug 2026
Validated
25 Aug 2026
Ward
Wellswood
Decision by
Delegated
Postcode
TQ1 2LN

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 20 Aug 2026

    Received by Torbay

  2. 25 Aug 2026

    Validated

    Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

  3. 2 Sep 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

  4. 23 Sep 2026

    Status changed to Awaiting decision

    Previously Registered.

  5. Decision

    Awaiting decision

    Decision expected by 20 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 61 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.

Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.

Open the documents

What happens while it is decided

This application is with Torbay for determination, against a statutory target of eight weeks. Over the last year Torbay decided tree works applications in a median of 53 days. More in our guide to how long planning decisions take.

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 0.3 miles

  • Kennett House Lincombe Drive Torquay TQ1 2LP

    AT/2026/0036 Submitted 23 Jan 2026 50 yards away

    T1 - Large post mature Horse Chestnut situated on the Eastern boundary, adjacent to Hesketh Road Steps. The tree shed it's lowest primary limb in July 2025 blocking the public steps. This has left the tree with large limbs to the East exposed to potential failure from adverse weather, presenting a further risk to the public. Works - Re-pollard at the historic pollard points (approximately 10m) - See annotated photographs.

    Granted Trees
    Small domestic
  • Holmwood Lincombe Drive Torquay TQ1 2LP

    AT/2021/0203 Submitted 4 Jun 2021 100 yards away

    Eucalyptus (T1) - fell because of extensive decay within the lower part of the stem. Tree targeting house and car park for local residents. Two neighbouring trees Oak and Magnolia will benefit from lack of competition. Leylandii (T2) - fell because of slenderness and asymmetrical crown overlapping neighbouring ornamental palm. Replant with Common Hornbeam. The tree is not visible to the wider public. Sweet Chestnut (T3) - 2 metres crown reduction because of slenderness occurring on the crooked stem, decay and hollow within the lower part of the stem. The tree is not visible to the wider public.

    Granted Trees 4 docs
  • Flat 14 Royal Pines Hesketh Road Torquay TQ1 2LN

    AT/2026/0107 Submitted 14 Apr 2026 100 yards away

    T863 Monterey pine - fell

    Granted Trees
  • Royal Pines Hesketh Road Torquay TQ1 2LN

    AT/2023/0121 Submitted 20 Apr 2023 100 yards away

    T1 - A row of Leylandii hedging/trees. To reduce the top of the Leylandii hedge in height, by 2-3 meters. It currently stand at approx 10-12 metres tall. This hedge was initially planted to mark a boundary with the neighbouring property. There is a court order served which includes instructions stating this hedge is not to become tall, and this needs to be adhered to. The hedge has not had any previous management, and has grown very sparse.

    Granted Trees 4 docs
  • Osborne Hotel Hesketh Crescent Torquay TQ1 2LL

    P/2019/1342 Submitted 18 Dec 2019 100 yards away

    Installation of flat section stainless steel posts on balcony decks and connect to existing balustrade and shelter posts. Installation of stainless steel rods and high tensioned cables.

    Withdrawn Heritage and listed buildings 25 docs
  • Rozel Middle Lincombe Road Torquay TQ1 2NF

    AT/2026/0001 Submitted 5 Jan 2026 150 yards away

    T1 - Mimosa - Reduce height to previous pruning points 8m Approx (see annotated photo) and shape accordingly. Consider as cyclical works on a 3 year basis, due to poor form from previous works. G2 - Post-mature group of Portuguese Laurels - Coppice all stems to a height of 2m - So can be managed as a group of "trimmed shrubs" by the 'in-house' gardening team going forwards

    Refused Trees

In Torbay

  • AT/2026/0184 Granted

    18A Mead Road Torquay TQ2 6TF

    Crown lift secondary branch growth only up to approximately 4.5m from ground level to achieve the required vertical clearance above the driveway and neighbours. Crown thin overall leaf bearing twig structure by 10 percent. This will also help with canopy crowding and avoid other trees rubbing against each other. Remove all major dead wood from crown All trees are Fagus Sylvatica (Mature Beech) This work has been previously accepted in 2023, application submitted by Devon Tree Services and works were completed by them as well.

    Received 22 Jul, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees
  • AT/2026/0270 Awaiting decision

    Flat 1 Greenwood Torwood Gardens Road Torquay TQ1 1EQ

    T1 Mimosa Proposed works: Fell Mature Mimosa situated within a confined residential garden in a Conservation Area, immediately adjacent to a masonry boundary wall and nearby buildings. The presence of Ganoderma fruiting bodies at the base of the tree indicates a potential wood-decay infection. The tree also exhibits an irregular crown with apparent dieback and is growing within a severely restricted environment. Its proximity to residential property, garden areas and the public highway increases the potential consequences of structural failure. Felling is proposed on the grounds of suspected basal decay, apparent crown deterioration and the tree's restricted location.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • AT/2026/0271 Awaiting decision

    8 Cecil Avenue Paignton TQ3 1LW

    T1 - Holm Oak Recommended works: Establish a pollard framework by removing the three substantial lateral branches at the positions indicated by the red markings in Photograph 3. The proposed works are intended to reduce the extensive lateral crown and associated mechanical loading from the tree's pronounced lean, while retaining the tree. Cyclical management: Following establishment, implement a seven-year cyclical pollarding regime to manage regrowth, control crown size, and limit excessive loading on the retained framework. Inspect the developing pollard heads periodically, particularly during the initial establishment period, to assess shoot attachment, structural condition and physiological response. All works should be undertaken in accordance with BS 3998:2010, subject to confirmation that the proposed cutting positions and degree of crown removal are appropriate following an on-site assessment. The seven-year interval is the proposed management objective and should be reviewed based on the tree's regrowth and structural condition.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • AT/2026/0269 Awaiting decision

    8 Ben Venue Close Torquay TQ1 1RX

    T1 - Western Red Cedar Proposed works: Fell Reason for works T1 is an established Western red cedar growing in exceptionally close proximity to an existing stone boundary wall. Photographic evidence indicates that the lower stem is in direct contact with the masonry, creating a physical conflict between the tree and the structure. Continued radial growth of the stem could exert further pressure on the wall, resulting in progressive displacement and deterioration of the masonry. The close relationship between the stem and the wall also restricts access for inspection, maintenance and necessary repairs. The tree's position presents a long-term management conflict. Crown reduction would not resolve the fundamental issue at the base of the tree, as it would not prevent continued radial stem growth. Felling is recommended as a permanent way to resolve the physical conflict between the tree and the boundary wall, prevent further interference from stem growth, and facilitate any necessary structural repairs. This recommendation is based primarily on the tree's unsuitable position relative to the existing structure and the limited practical options for a sustainable long-term solution. Based on its apparent size and maturity, it is possible that the tree was planted after the original Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was established.

    Received 25 Sep, published by the council 2 Oct 2026 Trees
  • AT/2026/0204 Granted

    Flat 1 Vernon Court Warren Road Torquay TQ2 5TR

    Holm Oak 12m Tall 50cm diameter (Already have approved plan for other three trees on site, scope to mirror that) Crown mai fence works requested to cut back to previous pruning points, not as far as original pollard but to the secondary pollard points, this has been noted on tree inspectors recent visit looking at other trees on site. This tree was not included in the original request due to a miscommunication between owner and agent. Plan to reduce radial spread down from 9m to 7m roughly removing 1.5-2m of regrowth.

    Received 3 Aug, published by the council 12 Aug 2026 Trees