Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)
Introduction
TPO's are used to protect selected trees and woodlands where
they make a significant contribution to the quality of an area and
their removal would have a negative impact on the environment and
its enjoyment by the public. Trees may be worthy of
preservation for their intrinsic beauty or their contribution to
the landscape, because they serve as a screen or for their
scarcity. Other factors such as their value as a wildlife
habitat may also be considered.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) were introduced to enable Local
Planning Authorities to protect important trees. TPOs can be
placed on any tree that has amenity value, including hedgerow trees
but not hedges, bushes or shrubs. 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. TPOs
prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, willful
damage or willful destruction of trees without the Local
Authorities consent. The maximum penalty for carrying out
works to TPO trees without consent is £20,000.
Application forms for works to trees can be obtained from
the Council Offices during normal office hours and can be printed
from the 'forms' section below.
For a comprehensive guide to the law and best practice on Tree
Preservation Orders please see the 'Guide
to the Law and Good Practice' published by Department for
Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Where are the Trees Covered by Tree Preservation Orders?
If you wish to find out whether a tree that you are wishing to
carry out works to is subject to a TPO, please click of the link to
the town or parish below:
Melton Mowbray, Ab Kettleby, Asfordby, Vale of Belvoir,
Bottesford,
Broughton & Old Dalby, Buckminster, Burton & Dalby, Clawson Hose & Harby, Croxton Kerrial, Eaton, Freeby, Frisby, Gaddesby, Garthorpe, Grimston, Hoby with Rotherby,
Knossington,
Redmile,
Scalford,
Somerby,
Sproxton,
Stathern, Twyford and
Thorpe, Waltham, Wymondham
Applying to undertake works to trees
Works to trees that are subject to a TPO must be made in writing
to the Council. please use the 'forms' link below in order to
download forms and notes to help you make the application. There is
no fee associated with such an application and the Council is
permitted 8 weeks to decide if the works should be permitted. The
Council is allowed to attach conditions (for example, requiring the
planting of replacement tree(s) or specifying ways the works should
be carried out) and there is a right of appeal to the Secretary of
State if consent is refused. Forms to make an application and
guidance notes to assist their completion are available below:
Urgent Works
Where works are urgent for safety reasons, or where protected
trees are considered to be dead, dying or dangerous please notify
the Council immediately. We will take a maximum of five working
days to confirm whether it is agreed that the works are urgent and
should proceed immediately.
Further Information
The following links to useful websites and documents that you
may find helpful when considering works to trees:
The Arborcultural Association -
Publications and information of works to trees, tree problems
etc.
The Forestry Commission - Advice
on works to trees and details of approved contractors and
specialists
The Bat Society - Advice on bat
roosts etc.
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