Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) allow the Council to influence private tree management by withholding consent or imposing conditions on tree work.

The Planning Department administers over 800 Orders within the District which dates back to 1949. By the use of TPOs and Conservation Areas the Council is able to exercise a high level of control where proposed works threaten to damage the amenity value of trees.

When a tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order or in a Conservation Area it is an offence (unless exempt) to carry out work or to fell it without written consent or notification. This can lead to a prosecution and a fine and, in serious cases criminal record and imprisonment. Where a tree is removed without consent or notification there is usually a duty to plant another tree of an appropriate size and species in the same position as reasonably possible. The council can enforce this replanting by serving a Tree Replacement Notice.

Written consent must normally be obtained for any work to these trees and conditions may be imposed on any consent. Consent can be refused if we believe the work will harm amenities unreasonably. Appeals are dealt with by the planning inspector and their decision is final.

Copies of Tree Preservation Orders are available from the Local Land Charges section upon written request. For further information follow the link at the bottom of the page.

Conservation Areas There are over 120 Conservation Areas within the district which cover towns and villages. Trees with a stem wider than 75mm are subject to 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 the 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.

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

Trees and woodlands are being protected by Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas. Anyone wishing to cut live parts of trees (including roots) should check if restrictions apply. The leaflet below answers commonly asked questions about protected trees.

Important Hedgerows in the countryside may be subject to Hedgerow Retention Notices and you may also need to give notice to our Planning Department before destroying parts of any hedge in the countryside http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/hedgelink/UK-hedgerow-legislation.htm.

If you are felling and selling quantities of timber you should also check with the Forestry Commission to find out if you need a Felling Licence.

Trees retained on building sites should be protected by robust, physical barrier fences as shown in BRITISH STANDARD 5837. No-dig surfaces over roots of retained trees should comply with ARBORICULTURAL PRACTICE NOTE 12. These measures will often be required by planning conditions. The guidance is available, free, for study at AVDC offices by prior appointment

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.
Application for Tree Works		1MB 56Kbps Modem: 2 Minutes 30 Seconds Broadband : Less than 1 Minute
Protected Tree leaflet		1.4MB 56Kbps Modem: 3 Minutes 31 Seconds Broadband : Less than 1 Minute