Planning application
Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP
Works: Trees
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
T003 ? Mature lime: Pollard to the main crown break, retaining the main stem and permanent primary scaffold framework. Thereafter manage as a cyclical pollard, with re-pollarding anticipated approximately every seven years. The works are requested following a ground-based assessment and subsequent climbing inspection. The aerial inspection identified multiple cavities within load-bearing primary branches supporting substantial upright stems. Three cavities were reported to extend beyond the diameter of the affected branch when investigated using an eight-inch probe. Further cavities and significant historic pruning wounds with associated decay were also recorded. The affected crown is exposed to wind and overhangs St Marychurch Road, the unsheltered Hatfield Cross bus stop and parts of Lynway Court. The inspecting arborist considered ordinary crown reduction but concluded that it would not sufficiently address the defects distributed through the primary crown. Pollarding is therefore proposed as a tree-retention and risk-management measure, rather than removal. T004 ? Mature lime: Crown reduce from approximately 30 metres to 28 metres in height and reduce radial spread from approximately 9 metres to 7.5 metres. Retain a natural flowing canopy outline and prune to suitable growth points. The T004 works are limited to crown reduction; pollarding is not proposed for this tree. T004 has previously been crown reduced and has responded with approximately 1?1.5 metres of regrowth. The proposed reduction continues this established management approach while retaining the tree?s overall form and amenity contribution. Both trees will be retained. All works will be undertaken by a competent and appropriately insured arboricultural contractor in accordance with the approved specification and BS 3998:2010, subject to appropriate ecological and highway-safety controls.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0227
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0227
- Type
- Works To Tree Within TPO
- Status
- Registered
- Received
- 20 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 24 Aug 2026
- Ward
- St Marychurch
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 3JP
Site history
Applications at this address on the Torbay register
This site has had 3 applications since 2019: 1 approved, 1 refused.
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AT/2026/0094 Refused
Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP
As per the work spec within the report. A previous application was turned down and a question was asked about how long the probe was used to measure the decay within the crown the probe was 8 inches long.
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AT/2019/0289 Granted
Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP
T1 - Horse Chestnut - Cut path through chestnut to give a 0.5 radial spread from BT cable.
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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20 Aug 2026
Received by Torbay
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24 Aug 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
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26 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 19 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.
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Topp Tree Care Agent, a tree-works contractor registered in Newton Abbot
Active · incorporated 2025 · Newton Abbot
46 applications on PlanIndex · across 4 councils · 47% 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.
Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.
Open the documentsWhat 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
-
Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP
T1 - Horse Chestnut - Cut path through chestnut to give a 0.5 radial spread from BT cable.
Granted Trees 4 docs -
Lynway Court St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JP
As per the work spec within the report. A previous application was turned down and a question was asked about how long the probe was used to measure the decay within the crown the probe was 8 inches long.
Refused Trees -
Ryan Place 62 St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3HG
T001 - Holm Oak: re-pollard to previous pruning points. Historically pollarded. Re-pollard to previous pruning points. Tree is overhanging neighbouring property the south and over pathways of 62 St Marychurch Road. This is to ensure safety over multiple targets, to maintain a clearance of neighbouring property and to allow more light.
Refused Trees 7 docs -
6A Shirburn Road Torquay TQ1 3JH
Formation of single storey extension to rear and conservatory replacement.
Granted Householder Extension 12 docsSmall domestic -
Flat 1 Ryan Place 62 St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3HG
T13 Lime Dismantle and fell close to ground level. All works to be carried out in accordance with BS 3998:2010 Tree Work ? Recommendations. Remove all cut material from site and return to a Teign Trees depot for recycling, leaving the area safe, clean and tidy.
Granted Trees -
47 St Marychurch Road Torquay TQ1 3JF
Installation of fixed line broadband apparatus.
Decided Telecoms
Other tree works applications
In Torbay
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.