Rock Bank West Higher Manor Road Brixham TQ5 8HA Data via plota.co.uk

AT/2026/0088 - Works To Tree Within TPO Refused

Proposal

Oak T1 - Proposed work: Fell. Justification: The tree exhibits a pronounced lean with a restricted rooting environment, resulting in reduced structural stability. Removal is appropriate due to limited long-term retention potential. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable strategy for this species. Oak T2 - Proposed work: Re-coppice to previous points. Justification: Evidence of decay within the lower stem. Re-coppicing helps restore a stable coppice stool and keeps the tree contributing to the hedge structure. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable replacement strategy for this species. Oak T3 - Proposed work: Fell. Justification: Significant lean combined with constrained rooting space, limiting safe future development. Removal is appropriate given the low long-term viability. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable strategy for this species. Oak T4 - Re-coppice to previous points. Justification: Decay is present in the lower stem. Re-coppicing helps restore a stable coppice stool and keeps the tree contributing to the hedge structure. Natural regeneration is generally expected and seen as a suitable replacement strategy for this species. Sycamore T5 - Proposed work: Crown reduction by up to 2m, maintaining natural form. Justification: Works intended to manage crown spread and maintain appropriate clearance while retaining tree health and amenity value. The tree lost its stability and possibly some roots when the neighbouring wall collapsed last year. Oak T6 - Proposed work: Remove the lowest-order branch only. Justification: Minor branch removal required to facilitate access for larger vehicles. The branch is of small diameter with an acceptable 3:1 ratio, and removal will not adversely affect the tree's form or vitality. Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

Received
23 Mar 2026
Refused
18 May 2026
Appeal
Not lodged

Refused on 18 May 2026 · Delegated · Last checked 19 Jul 2026

Site constraints 4

Brixham Town conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Council document ↗
Also on the record
National landscape 434 m away: South Devon; Inside the Brixham built-up area; Tree preservation order 21 m away: Cumbers and Coombe Bank, Brixham.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No listed building at the site

Checked on 11 September 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

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Important details

Council
Torbay
Application type
Works To Tree Within TPO
Postcode
TQ5 8HA
Received
23 Mar 2026
Validated
23 Mar 2026
Ward
Furzeham With Summercombe
Case officer
Show
Decision
Part allowed/part refused
Decision date
18 May 2026
Decision level
Delegated
Applicant
Show

How this decision compares

Decided in 56 days from validation, 6 days slower than Torbay's median of 50 for tree and landscaping works. Refused, as 22% of tree and landscaping works here are.

98%decided within 8 weeks
78%approved
160decided in the last year

Plota live figures for tree and landscaping works decided by Torbay in the last twelve months, from validation. Torbay decision record →

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-14783281
Env. assessment
No
Torbay
Planning Authority Score
1.9/10
Poor
#276 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions

Torbay is one of the slowest councils in England for householder decisions, ranking #276 out of 296. 54% of applications have the time limit extended, above the 41% national average. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (90%) than the national average (90%).

Among the slowest councils in England
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Torbay decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
87%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #183 of 296
90%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #197 of 296
37%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #276 of 296
54%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #247 of 296
81%
Minor dwellings approved
53 decided (1-9 homes)
100%
Major dwellings approved
9 decided (10+ homes)
91%
Change of use approved
44 decided
529
Total decisions
68 refused in the year to March 2026