Statutory Tree Protection (Primary and Secondary Legislation)

In the UK certain trees are protected by law, the primary act in this respect is the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which is administered by the Town & Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012.  Tree owners must apply to the Local Planning Authority if they wish to carry out work to a protected tree.  The application must now be made through the Planning Portal using the 1 App form and a supporting tree report is often a requirement.

Similarly, trees that are growing within a designated Conservation Area enjoy a level of preliminary protection in this case the procedure is to notify the authority of your intent to carry out works.  They then have six weeks to object and make a TPO to properly protect the tree.

Trees are a material consideration in the planning process and so are also effectively protected by this legislation.  Many Local Planning Authorities now require tree condition reports to support planning applications and will apply conditions to prevent pruning or removal of trees on development sites.

We are able to help with all of these issues and can help tree owners and managers to comply with the law whilst still achieving their objectives.  Our involvement in historic cases has often prevented expensive delays.