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Tree Preservation Orders

What is a Tree Preservation Order?

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is issued to prohibit felling, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without Mid Devon District Council's consent (see Legislation.gov.uk - Town and Country Planning Act 1990).

It is necessary to obtain our consent to undertake work to a tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). It is an offence to lop, top, fell or uproot a protected tree without consent. To apply for consent to carryout such work, please download and complete the application form from the Planning Portal website by selecting the 'Paper Form Chooser.'

You must also gain consent from the tree owner prior to carrying out the work. If work is undertaken on a protected tree without first gaining consent from the District Council a criminal prosecution could follow leading to a substantial fine. 

A TPO application will be determined within 8 weeks of being accepted as a valid application. 

Is my tree Protected by a Tree Preservation Order? Use our search facility to check if a Tree or group of Trees are protected.

Trees in Conservation Areas

All trees in Conservation Areas are protected if they have a stem diameter of 75mm (roughly 3 inches) measures at 1.5m (roughly 5 feet) above ground. In general, it is an offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for anyone to undertake work to a tree in a Conservation Area without giving us six weeks' prior written notice. The notice period is so that we can decide if the tree(s) should be protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

To give notice of the work to a tree(s) in a Conservation Area, please download and complete the application form from the Planning Portal website by selecting the 'Paper Form Chooser.' You must provide details of the location of the tree(s) and details of the work proposed. You must submit a notification of your intention to carry out the works.

A notification will be responded to within 6 weeks from the time it is registered.

Is my tree in a Conservation Area? - Use our Parish Conservation Area maps to check if a Tree or group of Trees are within a CA

Exceptions and Exemptions to works for trees subject to Tree Preservation Order or within a Conservation Area

There are a number of exemptions to the requirement to give notifications, such as if the tree is dead or dangerous. The burden of proof that the work is exempt because the tree is dead or dangerous lies with the person carrying out the work. Anyone proposing to carry out work under this exemption is advised to contact the Planning Service.

5-Day Notification for Dead or Dangerous Trees form

Exceptions - Works to Protected Trees

Removing hedgerows 

In 1997, regulations were introduced to control the removal, either in whole or in part, of certain hedgerows. This legislation does not apply to hedges around domestic gardens and does not seek to control hedges below a specified length. Certain activities, such as the provision of temporary emergency access and works authorised under other legislation, are exempt from the need to notify us. It is an offence to remove a controlled hedgerow without the necessary consent and fines of up to £5000 can be imposed by the Courts upon conviction.

To notify us that you intend to carry out works to a controlled hedgerow, please download and complete the application for Hedgerow Removal Notice from the Planning Portal website by selecting the 'Paper Form Chooser.'

High hedges

You can find information about the control of high hedges in Part 8 of Legislation.gov.uk - Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Guidance notes

Please refer to the Works to trees guidance notes to help you to provide the correct information.

For any queries please email treequeries@middevon.gov.uk

You can use our online planning service Public Access to view applications to carry out works to Trees Protected by a Tree Preservation Order or Trees within a Conservation Area 

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