Protected trees

A leaflet is available from the download below describing these regulations in more detail.

Conservation Areas have been made in most towns and villages. Trees with a stem wider than 75mm are subject to the regulations - about as thick as a coffee mug. Normally, six weeks written notice must be given to the Council prior to any tree works being carried out in Conservation Areas. The Council can respond by making a new Preservation Order.

There are hundreds of Tree Preservation Orders in the district covering many thousands of trees. Consent must normally be obtained for any work to these trees. Conditions can be imposed on any consent. Consent can be refused if we believe the work will harm amenities unreasonably.

Felling even small amounts of timber (over 5 cubic metres) may require a Felling Licence from the Forestry Commission. Contact the Forestry Commission for more information, website at bottom of page.

Cutting any trees without the owners consent can be construed as criminal damage to their property. Cutting protected trees unlawfully may result in heavy fines.

Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas

To check if a tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order or is in a Conservation Area, contact the tree officer or planner, details at bottom of page.

If you want us to make a new Tree Preservation Order you should contact us in writing (fax or email is fine). We will need to know

• the exact location of the trees
• why you think they are important 
• what threat exists to them

Leaflets describing the planning, design and methods of tree protection are available from the tree officers.

Protected hedgerows

A leaflet is available from the tree officers describing these regulations in more detail.

Under the Hedgerow regulations 1997 it is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission.

Date Updated: 07/05/08

Downloads:

File name	Summary	File size / Download time	File Format
Adobe Acrobat Reader is available FREE of charge. You can download it directly from Adobe's website by clicking the link to the right. Once on Adobe's website, follow the instructions on screen to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
A guide to tree preservation procedures		144KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute