Whitecaps, Lower Woodfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 2JY

Application for sectional dismantling of Horse Chestnut T004 on plan. Previously, permission applied for and granted (AT/2022/0282/TPO) to reduce canopy by 4-5 metres as a means of phased removal whilst allowing adjacent trees to adjust to altered exposure. Tree to be monitored as will probably need removal in 3-5 years from 2022. Tree has pronounced stem bleeding and a large basal cavity with sounding confirming extensive internal decay and hollowing up to c.2m which compromises structural integrity. Target area includes the garden and paths in Tecton and in neighbouring Cintra representing areas of regular pedestrian use, with Cintra building close c.6/7m to tree. Proposal to leave last 2m of trunk for habitat. There are already two large sycamore, close to T004 and in Cintra on other side of the wall a two yews and given the vertical drop to neighbours garden and existing trees it is proposed no replanting will take place.

Reduce Beech (Fagus sylvatica) in the Southern most corner of the property by 2m to create a rough 2.5m gap between the canopy and neighbouring building. Reduction works are to happen only to the lower aspect of the canopy and only to create the gap around the neighbouring property to reduce the risk of damage. Those works will be carried out following current British standards.

5 Day Notice Removal of dead and heavily decayed pollard which has not regrown. Tree is a significant danger to the care home users, visitors and staff.