Authorities cannot confirm an Order unless they have first considered any duly made objections or other representations. Contact your Tree Officer or planning department, or consider submitting an Environmental Information Request. Massive dose of weedkiller/acid/something else horribly toxic around the roots. Check if your property is within a conservation area. In a few words, a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) is exactly that. It is important that the information on the form makes clear what the proposed work is and provides adequate information to support the case. Paragraph: 048 Reference ID: 36-048-20140306, Flowchart 2 shows the decision-making process for varying or revoking Orders, Paragraph: 049 Reference ID: 36-049-20140306. Its an order to preserve or to protect a tree. Oh silly point but you very specifically dont try to get it removed. Paragraph: 115 Reference ID: 36-115-20140306. Regulations 19-23 set out the appeal procedures. costs incurred in making an appeal to the Secretary of State against the refusal of any consent or the grant of consent subject to conditions. They are liable, if convicted in the Magistrates Court, to a Level 3 fine (currently up to 1,000). Lopping is the process of trimming tree branches in order to reduce and change the size of the tree. A tree replacement notice should make clear whether it relates to non-compliance with a condition or to a duty under section 206 or 213 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. A Tree Preservation Order is an order made by a local planning authority in England to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity. Any request for such a dispensation should be put to the authority in writing. A TPO (Tree Preservation Order) is a statutory protection afforded to trees under the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. The local authority should make a formal variation order that identifies the Order being varied, the variations made and the date the variation order is made. Hmm Tree was there first. Paragraph: 137 Reference ID: 36-137-20140306. A programme including tree felling should be more specific and should, where appropriate, cater for replacement tree planting. Paragraph: 056 Reference ID: 36-056-20140306. For others you must give your local planning authority six weeks' notice in writing if you want to carry out work on them. The authority should acknowledge receipt in writing, confirming the date on which the complete application was received and the date after which an appeal may be made against non-determination. Anyone who contravenes an Order by damaging or carrying out work on a tree protected by an Order without getting permission from the local planning authority is guilty of an offence and may be fined. Owners are still responsible for the condition of the trees covered by tree preservation orders and any damage they may cause. Paragraph: 161 Reference ID: 36-161-20140306. This is because the planning authority will have considered the TPO at the time the permission was granted. You can also request a copy of a Tree Preservation Order. The area category is one way of protecting individual trees dispersed over an area. They may decide to vary or revoke Orders because, for example: Paragraph: 050 Reference ID: 36-050-20140306. When considering whether trees should be protected by an Order, authorities are advised to develop ways of assessing the amenity value of trees in a structured and consistent way, taking into account the following criteria: The extent to which the trees or woodlands can be seen by the public will inform the authoritys assessment of whether the impact on the local environment is significant. Paragraph: 082 Reference ID: 36-082-20140306. Section 207 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives local planning authorities the powers to enforce an unfulfilled duty under section 206 to replace trees or woodlands by serving on the landowner a tree replacement notice. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) gives legal protection to an individual tree, group of trees, area or woodland. Paragraph: 045 Reference ID: 36-045-20140306. information on any people with a legal interest in the land affected by the Order (further guidance can be found in, the trees or trees importance as a wildlife habitat; and/or. The Order will protect only those trees standing at the time it was made, so it may over time become difficult to be certain which trees are protected. Yorkshire water wont say more than it could be the tree thats the problem without exploration work (old lead main which seems to have a constriction somewhere in or around the huge tree growing over the main.). Can anyone advise how to proceed? A Tree Preservation Order is made by the council, giving legal protection to trees or woodland. To warrant a TPO, a tree should make a significant impact on its local surroundings. Request a copy of a TPO. It notifies the authority of proposed work on trees in a conservation area that are not subject to a Tree Preservation Order. Paragraph: 019 Reference ID: 36-019-20140306. Tree Works Checklist. The decision is made based upon the health of the tree and its positioning in terms of its . My house is on clay sand, of an age and design known to be susceptible to subsidence. Dont like it, move. Allow the 6 week period to expire when the work can be carried out without consent. National Town Planning Consultancy based in the North East, Group for a group of specified individual trees, Area covers every tree within a particular area at the time of the order being made, Woodland covers all trees within a woodland area (regardless of age), A clear plan identifying the tree you wish to work on, A clear description of the work to be carried out on the tree, Your reasons for applying to carry out work, Information on any health and safety issues or property damage caused by the tree. Otherwise the authority should acknowledge receipt of the notice in writing. An Order. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. The tree, on the other hand, can be trimmed only if it is to maintain its health or if the trimming has no effect on growth. For example, the Order is overridden if a tree has to be removed to make way for a new building for which full planning permission has been granted. Trees provide psychological refreshment and a sense of well-being by softening the urban environment, so stress and illness levels are often lower when trees are planted. For destroying a tree, the maximum fine is 20,000, and for doing so, anyone who does not completely destroy it but has carried out other works without their consent can face a fine of up to 2,500. Section 210(4A) and (4B) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 set out that, in respect of offences under section 210(4) of the Act, authorities may bring an action within 6 months beginning with the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify the proceedings came to the prosecutors knowledge. The authoritys consent is not required for carrying out the minimum of work on a tree protected by an Order that is necessary to prevent or abate a nuisance. It isnt too late to stop the governments attack on nature. Paragraph: 124 Reference ID: 36-124-20140306. Applicants, agents and authorities must have regard to statutory obligations concerning protected species. Paragraph: 073 Reference ID: 36-073-20140306. If in doubt they are advised to seek advice from the authority or Natural England on how to proceed. One example is work urgently necessary to remove an immediate risk of serious harm. Without our permission, they prevent trees from being cut down, uprooted, topped, lopped, wilfully damaged, or destroyed, including cutting roots. Section 210(3) provides that, in determining the amount of fine, the court shall take into account any financial benefit which has resulted, or is likely to result, from the offence. The officer should also record other information that may be essential or helpful in the future. Trees that are. Section 208 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, sets out provisions relating to appeals to the Secretary of State against tree replacement notices. However, if the local planning authority believes, in the circumstances, that replacement trees should be planted, it should first try to persuade the landowner to comply with the duty voluntarily. Getting the support of your local councillor may help, often its the elected officials and powerful local residents who exacerbate the issue, not the tree Officers. Where there is evidence that protected species such as bats may be present and might be affected by the proposed work the applicant, their agent and the authority should have regard to the relevant legislation and guidance. Once the tree preservation order is approved by the local authorities, the initial term lasts for six months. Invite ward councillors and your MP along to an urgent meeting. Paragraph: 135 Reference ID: 36-135-20140306. The various grounds on which an appeal may be made are set out in Regulation 19. the possibility of a wider deterrent effect. explain that objections or representations about any of the trees, groups of trees or woodlands covered by the Order may be made to the authority in accordance with, specify a date (at least 28 days after the date of the notice) by which any, delivered to, or could reasonably expected to be delivered to, the authority not later than the date specified in the. Such notices may apply, for example, to breaches of planning conditions requiring physical tree protection. One consideration would be to look at what is likely to happen, such as injury to a passing pedestrian. Paragraph: 145 Reference ID: 36-145-20140306. Further site visits may be appropriate following emergency situations where on the initial visit the authority did not fully assess the amenity value of the trees or woodlands concerned. An injunction is a court order prohibiting a person from taking a particular action. the cutting down or uprooting of a tree, whose diameter does not exceed 100 millimetres, for the sole purpose of improving the growth of other trees (eg thinning as part of forestry operations). The exceptions allow removal of dead branches from a living tree without prior notice or consent. Weve reason to believe its damaged our water main. To conserve biodiversity it can be good practice to retain dead wood on living trees and at least the lower trunk of dead ancient or veteran trees unless, for example, safety reasons justify removal. They should also take care to not contravene the provisions of legislation protecting plants and wildlife. Explains the legislation governing Tree Preservation Orders and tree protection in conservation areas. The persons interested in the land affected by the Order are every owner and occupier of the land on which the protected trees stand and every other person the authority knows is entitled to carry out certain works to any of those trees or in relation to the affected land. They prohibit a range of activities relating to their removal or destruction, and you should check before doing anything to a tree as there are fines for non-compliance. Paragraph: 047 Reference ID: 36-047-20140306. They should be notified of the: If the authority has confirmed the Order with modifications, then it should serve a copy of the Order as confirmed. The authority should remind the landowner of the duty before the specified period ends and make clear that it will use its powers if the notice is not complied with. First off good luck, my experience is as follows: As far as my local council are concerned. The requirements an authority must meet when varying an Order will depend on whether or not additional trees will be protected. Leave us your email and well do the rest. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Paragraph: 042 Reference ID: 36-042-20140306. Exemptions. In addition, the authority must make available a copy of the Order at its offices. If the authority did not visit the site before the application was made then an officer should do so at this stage. Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. These appeals are handled by the Planning Inspectorate on the Secretary of States behalf. In deciding whether work to a tree or branch is urgently necessary because it presents an immediate risk of serious harm, the Secretary of States view is that there must be a present serious safety risk. Conditions or information attached to the permission may clarify what work is exempt. This exception will apply, for example, where the Forestry Commission has granted a felling licence under the Forestry Act 1967. Paragraph: 102 Reference ID: 36-102-20140306. It should also consider whether it is in the public interest to prosecute some or all of the individuals implicated in the offence. To raise awareness about local trees under threat, it's a good idea to work as a group to maximise your campaigning effort. Tree Preservation orders or TPOs were introduced to enable Local Planning authorities to protect important trees. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). More information about tree replacement can be found at paragraph 151. They did this to block a planning application for our extension. They'll be responsible for the legal and administrative work that comes with the transfer of property from one person to another. This process applies to contraventions of Tree Preservation Orders. Did you bother to read the thread? Paragraph: 001 Reference ID: 36-001-20140306. Paragraph: 147 Reference ID: 36-147-20140306. However, the authority cannot enter Crown land without consent from the appropriate Crown body. For some local authorities you may need to select a different category, such as "Highways", to find the "Trees" category, or use the "Other" category instead. So authorities are advised to keep their Orders under review. The authority is advised to also assess the particular importance of an individual tree, of groups of trees or of woodlands by reference to its or their characteristics including: Where relevant to an assessment of the amenity value of trees or woodlands, authorities may consider taking into account other factors, such as importance to nature conservation or response to climate change. Objections to a new Tree Preservation Order can be made on any grounds. Paragraph: 162 Reference ID: 36-162-20140306. For the purposes of the Act, a person does not have to obliterate a tree in order to destroy it. What do Tree Preservation Orders entail? A TPO makes it a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy protected trees without written consent from the local authority. The local planning authoritys consent is needed for carrying out work on diseased and/or dying trees unless some other exemption applies. Information regarding any protected trees on your land can be obtained from the Land Charges Register, held by your Local Authority Planning Department. Paragraph: 085 Reference ID: 36-085-20140306. The work may go ahead before the end of the 6 week period if the local planning authority gives consent. Online map showing which trees have Tree Preservation Orders (opens in new window) Pruning or felling a protected tree can result in prosecution. Where a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is made, under Section 198 of the Town & Country Planning Act 199. How to protect trees: a guide to Tree Preservation Orders, trees improve the wellbeing of people and planet, our briefing, "Protecting trees, woodlands and hedgerows: a practical guide", search the government's open data website, "Protecting trees, woodlands and hedgerows: a practical guide", over 100 trees caused by a developers error. It makes the felling, pruning, reducing, thinning or damaging in any way illegal. Paragraph: 032 Reference ID: 36-032-20140306, Paragraph: 033 Reference ID: 36-033-20140306. A good Arb Association member should be able to advise on structural integrity and options, particularly if they have worked with, or know, the local tree officer. Planning permissions automatically override TPOs, as the TPO will be taken into consideration when your local planning authority decides whether to grant planning permission. The law on Tree Preservation Orders is in Part VIII of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended and in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012 which came into force on 6 April 2012. Further details are available in the Planning Inspectorates appeals guidance. Trees that are exempt from TPOs are those that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous and fruit trees grown for the commercial production of fruit. Surely she considered both problems before she spent tens/hundreds of thousands of pounds? 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