Tree Preservation Orders
What do Tree Preservation Orders do?
Tree preservation orders do the following:
- Keep and protect woodland, trees and groups of trees which add to the character and appearance of an area.
- Keep and protect the structure and variety of woodland, especially where they offer protection to natural wildlife habitats.
- Make sure that new developments take into account the landscape setting.
Can protected trees ever be cut down?
There are times when trees that are protected by a tree preservation order may be cut down.
If the trees are dead, dying or dangerous, or if the trees need to be managed to remove a nuisance, or threat to life or property, you can ask for our written permission to cut them down or prune them.
What happens if I cut down a protected tree without permission?
Work which is not exempt and which is carried out without the formal consent of the Council is illegal.
The Council may prosecute offenders and fines of up to £20,000 for each tree may be imposed by the Magistrates Court in the event of them being convicted of an offence.
If proceedings are instituted in the Crown Court fines are unlimited.
There is a duty to replace any tree removed without permission.
How do I get permission to cut down my protected trees?
If your trees are protected, you need written permission to remove them, or to do any tree surgery.
Applications to fell or prune a protected tree must be made in writing to the Council Planning Department explaining which tree, what work and why.
It usually takes up to eight weeks from the receipt of your application until a decision is made.
Your local council can supply an application pack by post or you can download the form online.
For more information on TPO's
..take a look at these websites:
Also make sure to look on your local council's website.