Premier Inn Belgrave Road Torquay TQ2 5HE Data via plota.co.uk

AT/2026/0174 - Works To Tree Within TPO Approved

Proposal

1x Multi Stemmed Ivy-covered Torbay Palm (Cordyline australis) - Sectionally dismantle, fell, and remove to ground level using appropriate dismantling techniques to ensure the safe and controlled removal of all sections. Proffesional arboricultural justification/ Statement The Torbay Palm is in poor overall physiological and structural condition, exhibiting a poor multi-stemmed form with limited long-term amenity value. Extensive ivy growth has become established throughout the stems and crown, increasing wind loading and contributing to the tree's overall decline. The palm has also begun to shed and lose fronds on a regular basis, indicating deterioration and increasing the likelihood of falling debris within the surrounding area. Owing to its poor form, declining condition, and ongoing loss of fronds, the tree is no longer considered suitable for long-term retention as a protected feature. The proposed removal is recommended on the grounds of sound arboricultural management, reducing the risk of further frond and branch failure whilst improving the safety, appearance, and ongoing maintenance of the site. The associated removal of fallen branches and accumulated dead ivy from the ground will further enhance the condition of the area. All works will be undertaken in accordance with BS 3998:2010 ? Tree Work ? Recommendations, using sectional dismantling techniques to ensure the safe and controlled removal of the tree whilst minimising the risk of damage to surrounding vegetation and property. Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
16 Jul 2026
✓
Validated
23 Jul 2026
✓
Approved
14 Sept 2026

Approved on 14 Sept 2026 · Delegated · Last checked 26 Sept 2026

Site constraints 8

Belgravia 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 ↗
Tree preservation order: Belgrave Road, Torquay
Consent is needed before work on protected trees.
Not every council has published its orders as open data, so no order shown is not proof there is none.
Special area of conservation about 165 m away: Lyme Bay and Torbay
Work nearby can need a habitats assessment.
Harm to a protected site is only accepted where there is no alternative and an overriding public interest.
Also on the record
1 listed building within 150 m of the postcode pin; Radon affected area, class 4; Scheduled monument about 202 m away: Torre Abbey; Registered park or garden about 185 m away: Princess Gardens and Royal Terrace Gardens; Inside the Torquay built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt

Checked on 6 October 2026. The pin for this application is the centre of its postcode rather than the building, so distances to nearby designations are measured from the postcode and can be out by the width of the postcode area. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the British Geological Survey and UK Health Security Agency (radon, contains BGS materials © UKRI) 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
TQ2 5HE
Received
16 Jul 2026
Validated
23 Jul 2026
Ward
Tormohun
Case officer
Show
Decision
Not to Propose TPO in CA
Decision date
14 Sept 2026
Decision level
Delegated
Applicant
Show
Agent
Devon Tree Services

How this decision compares

Decided in 53 days from validation, 10 days slower than Torbay's median of 43 for tree and landscaping works. Approved, as 86% of tree and landscaping works here are.

99%decided within 8 weeks
86%approved
215decided 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 →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

Last counted 26 Sept 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-15088451
Planning Portal ref
PP-15088451
Comments by
20 Aug 2026
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