Tree Preservation Orders
Tree Preservation Orders were introduced to enable Local Planning Authorities to protect important trees.
Tree Preservation Orders can be placed on any tree that has a significant contribution to the area, for example, their contribution to the landscape, privacy, or to enhancing the habitats and wildlife.
Tree Preservation Orders prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, willful damage or willful destruction of trees without the Local Authorities consent.
Trees that are exempt from Tree Preservation Orders are those that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous and fruit trees grown for the commercial production of fruit.
The maximum penalty for carrying out works to Tree Preservation Order trees without consent is £20,000.
You can contact us about trees that need urgent works for safety reasons.
For example, tress that are considered to be dead, dying or dangerous.
We will take a maximum of 5 working days to confirm whether the works are urgent.
If you want to carry out work on a protected tree then you will need to make an application, which is free of charge.
It may take up to 8 weeks to decide if the works should be permitted.
When granting permission we may attach conditions. For example, requiring the planting of replacement tree(s) or specifying ways the works should be carried out.
If consent is refused you can appeal to the Secretary of State.
You can search on MyMelton to find which trees in the borough have Tree Preservation Orders.