Tree Preservation Orders

Thanet District Council is responsible for the administration and management of trees in Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). This involves the survey and inspection of trees for inclusion in new TPOs and the consideration of proposals by owners to fell or prune protected trees.

Tree Preservation Orders are used to protect selected trees and woodlands

• where they contributre significantly to the quality of an area
• their removal would have a negative impact on the environment and its enjoyment by the public.  

Trees may be worthy of preservation for their intrinsic beauty or their contribution to the landscape, because they serve as a screen or for their scarcity. Other factors such as their value as a wildlife habitat may also be considered. 

Tree Preservation Orders enable Local Planning Authorities to protect important trees. TPOs can be placed on any tree that has amenity value, including hedgerow trees but not hedges, bushes or shrubs. 

Trees that are exempt from TPOs are those that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous and fruit trees grown for the commercial production of fruit. TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, willful damage or willful destruction of trees without the Local Authorities consent. The maximum penalty for carrying out works to TPO trees without consent is up to £20,000 a tree.  

For a comprehensive guide to the law and best practice on Tree Preservation Orders please see the Guide to the Law and Good Practice published by Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

Applying to undertake works to trees

Works to trees that are subject to a TPO must be made in writing to the Council using these forms: 

• Works to trees application forms
• Works to trees guidance notes

There is no fee associated with such an application

The Council is

• permitted 8 weeks to decide if the works should be permitted
• allowed to attach conditions (for example, requiring the planting of replacement tree(s) or specifying ways the works should be carried out)

There is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State if consent is refused.

Urgent Works

Where works are urgent for safety reasons, or where protected trees are considered to be dead, dying or dangerous, please notify the Council immediately. We will take a maximum of five working days to confirm whether it is agreed that the works are urgent and should proceed immediately.

Development Services

Email:

protected.trees
@thanet.gov.uk

Phone:

01843 577143