Trees in Conservation Areas
Buildings, landscape features and trees all contribute to the special character of a Conservation Area. The importance of trees in Conservation Areas is recognised in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which makes special provision for trees in Conservation Areas which are not already protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
Interactive Mapping
> use the interactive map to find out if a tree is protected by a TPO or is in a Conservation Area
This map is provided for guidance only, before any works are undertaken you should consult the Trees Officer on 01626 832093.
Section 211 Notice
Anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a Conservation Area is required to give the National Park Authority six weeks prior notice (a Section 211 Notice).
A Section 211 Notice can be completed online via the Planning Portal, paper forms are also available to download (a help file provides guidance on completing the forms).
The Section 211 Notice must set out clearly and in detail what work is proposed. For example, a proposal to ‘top’ or ‘lop’ a tree would not be acceptable because there are many different ways to ‘top’ or ‘lop’ a tree. If there are many trees on the site it would be helpful to provide a sketch map showing their location. We are happy to advise anyone who has a tree in a Conservation Area or requires help in submitting a Section 211 Notice.
Exemptions
Certain works to trees are exempt from the requirement to submit a Section 211 Notice:
- Cutting down trees in accordance with a felling licence granted by the Forestry Commission;
- Work which is exempt from the requirements to apply for consent under a TPO. We would advise you to contact us prior to trees being felled under this exemption because the onus is on the tree owner to prove the tree was exempt;
- Work carried out on, by or on behalf of the National Park Authority, District or Borough Council;
- Work on a tree with a stem diameter not exceeding 75mm, measured 1.5m up the main stem (or 100mm if the felling is to improve the growth of other trees, ie thinning operations).
After a Section 211 Notice is served
The Authority has 6 weeks to consider whether to protect the tree(s) with a Tree Preservation Order.
We will deal with the Notice in one of three ways:
- make a Tree Preservation Order if it considers the tree to have significant amenity value;
- decide not to make a TPO and allow the 6 weeks period to expire, at which point the proposed works may go ahead as long as it is carried out within 2 years from the date the notice was received by the Authority;
- decide not to make a TPO and inform the applicant the work can go ahead prior to the end of the 6 week period.
The Authority cannot refuse consent nor can it grant consent subject to conditions.
Penalties
Anyone who cuts down, uproots, tops, lops, wilfully destroys or damages a tree in a Conservation Area may be guilty of an offence. The penalties for such an offence are the same as those for contravening a TPO. The maximum fines in a Magistrates Court are £20,000 for destroying a tree and £2,500 for works carried without consent which do not destroy the tree.
Ownership
Trees located on private land within a Conservation Area are not owned by the Authority, nor is the Authority responsible for their safety or cost of maintenance.