TPO's and Planning

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What is a TPO?

A Tree Preservation Order or TPO protects individual trees, groups of trees and Woodland. the TPO is made by the local planning Authority and is a legally enforceable order. A TPO’s purpose is to prevent the loss of trees and prevent unauthorised work to trees which offer a significant amenity contribution to the local environment. a TPO can effect design and approval of construction applications made to the local planning authority.

What is a Conservation area?

A Conservation Area allows the same level of protection as a TPO but to all trees in a designated area where the trunk is over 75mm diameter at 1.5m from ground level. The Local planning officer will visit the tree and assess the application , if there is significant contribution to the local environment the LPA may apply a TPO or alternatively grant consent.

How can we work on a TPO’d tree?

An application must be submitted to the LPA clearly stating the intended works and the reasons for carrying them out. the relevant planning officer will give a verdict either giving consent for the proposed work or upholding the TPO and declining the application. Any work must be carried out by a qualified tree surgeon and must meet the required BS5837 standard. Declined applications can be appealed. When permission is granted you will receive a written conformation from the LPA including specific details of works approved and a time scale in which the work must be carried out.

How can I help you achieve your goals?

You can apply using the online service “the planning portal” or request an application from your LPA.cWe offer a service to apply to on your behalf, you will benefit from both our technical knowledge and our experience of the application procedure. * Link to contact us. Advice and quotations are free so if you are not sure if your tree is covered or indeed if it needs work please contact us as this is the first step. We charge very small fee for an application which is refunded if you choose us to carry out the work.

What if I don’t get consent?

Work carried out on a tree which is protected by a TPO without consent can result in a criminal conviction and may incur a £20000 fine.

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Planning

We offer the full range of report writing and site analysis required to effectively guide you through the planning process relating to trees. 
 
We have decades of experience in BS5837 planning legislation. BS 5837 surveys    BS 5837: 2012  applies to trees in relation to design, demolition and construction.
 
This British Standard provides guidance, in respect of development sites, for a balanced approach on deciding which trees are appropriate for retention; on the effect of trees on design considerations; and on the means of protecting trees during development. This applies to applications for most developments where construction work is involved, but will not generally be applied to householder applications (unless the site contains a large number of trees or woodland).

Planning surveys:

Tree retention plan - this is normally required during the planning stages to establish what trees are on site to begin with , of what value and which will be kept or lost during development. It is this document that the local authority will need  to effectively manage the trees in relation to planning applications.
 
Arb impact assessments - which indicate the possible influence the proposed construction and the tree would have on one another.
 
Arb Method statements - which propose the correct method to work safely around existing trees - and any protection that may be required e.g. fencing or ground protection. this is often required as a condition of planning by the local authority.
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Woodland and site management (FC grant guidance):

We help you to visualise, budget and realise larger goals efficiently over longer timeframes. We use the decades of experience to offer new ideas and solutions and provide tenable, solutions to help achieve them. These are normally phased to make them more manageable. We can help you make sure that you are carrying out the correct work to keep people safe and manage liabilities of ownership. With careful planning this can be done while achieving the most income from timber harvesting, improving habitat with replanting and timely and well specified works and while making the most of any grants or schemes that may be on offer too.

Contact us for a free quotation