TPO and Conservation Area Advice

Tree Preservations Orders:

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is an Order made by a Council in respect of a tree(s) that is considered to bring amenity value to the surrounding area. The order makes it an offence to carry out any sort of work to the tree in question without first obtaining the Council’s consent. Even removing a branch is illegal without permission from your Local Authority. A TPO can apply to a single tree, a group of trees or a woodland.

To carry out works on a TPO’d tree(s) you will need to contact your local authority requesting permission to carry out the proposed work. It is a drawn out process as it can take up to 8 weeks for your Local Authority to contact you with a decision.
If your local authority have not issued a decision within 2 months the applicant has a right of appeal to the Secretary of State under the provisions of section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). You also have this right to appeal if you disagree with their decision, within 28 days.

If permission is granted to fell a tree under a TPO, there is replant condition.

Conservation area

Trees within conservation areas are also protected. To carry out works on trees in conservation areas must give the local authority 6 weeks written notice of any works to be carried out on the tree(s). The Local Authority will then visit the site to judge whether or not a TPO needs to be issued on the tree(s). You do not need permission if you want to carry out work on a tree less than 75mm in diameter and measures less than 1.5m above ground level, unless it has replaced a tree that had previously being covered by a TPO.
There are very high penalties if work is carried out without permission, the fines can be up to £20,000.00.

If you are unsure as to whether you Tree is proctected please check, it is free to do so and could save you a big fine in the long run!

To check if your trees are covered by a TPO or are in a Conservation area please contact your local authority trees team:

Bradford: 01274 434605/434297
Leeds: 0113 2478148/0113 2478152
Calderdale: 01422 392218
Kirklees: 01484 414909
Wakefield: 01924 306636

Tree Preservation Orders/Conservation Areas
If our quote is accepted and the tree lies within a TPO or Conservation area, we will apply and deal with the local Authority to seek permission on your behalf. This is a free of charge service.