Section 198 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives the local planning authority powers to make a tree preservation order to protect trees and woodlands, when it is expedient in the interests of amenity. The tree preservation order may prohibit the cutting down, lopping, topping, uprooting, wilful damage or destruction of the tree(s) without the consent of the local planning authority.
If you are not sure whether a tree on your property is covered by a tree preservation order, or if you live in a Conservation Area, please contact the Council’s tree section in the Green Space Service on 020 8496 3000, or the Duty Planning Officer 020 8496 3000 before carrying out any works to the tree.
For further information, check our advice note: ‘Applications for Works to Protected Trees’:
- What planning approval is needed - Advice Note and Application Forms
- Validation Checklist 9 - Tree applications
Useful links
- 'Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures' can be found at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1505655
- 'Tree Preservation Order Appeals: How the Process Works' can be found at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1505656
- To find out about current research and knowledge on tree roots and their interaction with the built environment look at 'Tree Roots in the Built Environment': www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1500733
- Information on trees, including research projects, good practice and tree preservation orders can be found at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1127778
