Trees in conservation areas

The Town and Country Planning Act makes special provisions for the protection of trees within conservation areas, that are not otherwise protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

All trees with trunks measuring over 7.5cm in diameter at a height of 1.5m from the ground, regardless of age, species or location are automatically protected.

Six weeks written notice is required for works to trees in a conservation area. The application forms and guidance notes are available to download on the application forms page of this website. Upon validation of an application, the trees team will assess the proposal and can act in one of three ways: 

  • make a TPO if this is justified in the interests of public amenity
  • decide not to make a TPO and let the six weeks' notice period expire
  • decide not to make a TPO and write to the applicant granting consent for the works to go ahead 

If a tree within a conservation area is also protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), then the TPO procedures take precedent. More information is available on the Tree Preservation Orders page of this website.

Please note if a tree in a conservation area is felled without consent, you could be liable for an unlimited fine. If other works, for example pruning, is carried out to a tree within a conservation area without consent, in a manner that is not likely to destroy the tree, this could result in a fine of up to £20,000 if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court. 

Report unauthorised works to a tree in a conservation area

There are two courses of action you can take if you suspect works are being carried out without consent to a protected tree.

You can contact the trees team on 01353 665555 to establish whether notice has been given for the works. If there is no record of consent, they will pass the matter to the council's Planning Enforcement team.

You can report the issue directly to the Planning Enforcement team by using the Report a Breach page of this website.