Planning application
Flat 1 Kingsbridge Greenway Road Torquay TQ1 4NJ
Works: Trees
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
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.
As published by the council, reference AT/2026/0245
Application record
- Reference
- AT/2026/0245
- Type
- Works To Tree Within CA
- Status
- Registered
- Received
- 10 Sep 2026
- Validated
- 14 Sep 2026
- Ward
- St Marychurch
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- TQ1 4NJ
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
10 Sep 2026
Received by Torbay
-
14 Sep 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
17 Sep 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 9 November 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.
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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.
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Other tree works applications
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.
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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.