Planning and building control

Tree Preservation Orders

If we believe certain trees or woodland contribute to the local environment, we can protect them with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and you’ll need our consent to carry out any work to protected trees.

Read the full guidance on GOV.UK for Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas.

You may also find our tree preservation and planting advice note useful:

If a tree is dead or dangerous, you don’t need to apply for consent, but you’ll still need to contact us to prove that the work falls within an exemption.

Find out if your tree is protected

Use the map below to find the locations of properties that are subject to a TPO and download the orders, or contact us to find out before carrying out any works.

View a map with TPO locations

Works to trees covered by a TPO

You’ll need written consent from us to do any of the following works to a protected tree:

  • cutting down
  • topping
  • lopping
  • uprooting

Where we agree that pruning or removal is allowed, the TPO means we can control these actions and arrange for new planting to replace trees which are removed, if necessary.

Works to trees in conservation areas

Trees in conservation areas are also subject to protection, even if they’re not covered by a TPO. You’ll still need to apply for consent, giving six weeks’ notice, before you carry out any of the above works – this gives us the opportunity to consider whether an order should be made to protect the trees.

Check if your property is in a conservation area by using the TPO and conservation area map above.

Apply for consent

If you wish to carry out works to trees that are subject to a TPO or notify us of works to trees in a conservation area you can:

Apply online for tree works consent via the Planning Portal

Download the paper application form from the Planning Portal

Make sure you include the relevant documents and plans with your application:

Help text: Tree works

  • Validation guidance and local information requirements for planning applications

    Download this document: Validation guidance and local information requirements for planning applications (PDF: 1.1 MB)

    This sets out which documents are required for planning applications - the local list of validation requirements. This is in addition to the mandatory national requirements. All submissions will be reviewed against the requirements set out in the national and local list.

    First published: 29/04/2024

    Last updated: 18/06/2024

There is no fee to pay when applying for consent.

Request a copy of a TPO

Download for free

Use the TPO map above to download Tree Preservation Orders for free. See above for instructions on how to use the map.

Request a paper copy

You can request a paper copies from Legal Services to be posted out to you, but there will be an administration charge of £40 for each TPO.

If you know the TPO reference, please call 0151 233 0463.

If you don’t know the TPO reference, use the map or contact Planning Services in the first instance.

If we have requested a payment from you, you can pay online:

Pay online for a TPO