Tree Protection Orders for Avon
Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) for Avon
A fantastic form of wildlife protection is ensuring all trees of amenity and wildlife value are protected under a Tree Protection Order (TPO). TPOs protect trees from felling, pruning and other impacts that may result in their death or damage. A tree doesn’t need to be on public land, only viewable from areas with agreed access, to be considered for a TPO. You can look up whether your favourite trees are already protected, and once covered, that tree is protected for the rest of it’s life, unless exceptional permission is granted, and that even applies to standing deadwood.
So whether it’s a moderate tree that you grew up playing under, a behemoth chestnut that makes your day every time you see it in the corner of a carpark, of a gnarled ghostly dead tree with a mushroom-riddled chasm through it’s middle, it’s always worth checking or applying for it to be preserved for future generations.
All devolved councils in Avon have slightly different processes for requesting a TPO, and all requests will require the following KEY INFORMATION included in the initial TPO request email or letter:
NOTE: Trees cannot be protected if planning permission has been granted.
The owner of a tree with the TPO is responsible for its maintenance but all works need consented by the governing council authority before any work is carried out.
If you live next to a property that has a tree with a TPO, then you cannot undertake any work to that tree without consent from the local authority and the landowner, even if part of it crosses your boundary.
(c) Emma Creasey
Priors Wood
TPO Process for Bristol
Bristol City Council’s page for tree protection information
- Check your tree(s) are not already protected. You can look up whether your favourite trees are already protected and if they aren’t, you’ll have to request a new TPO for consideration.
- In order for a new TPO to be considered, send the above key information from the green box to customerservices.ptsd@bristol.gov.uk where it will be forwarded to the Tree Officer for consideration.
To report activity that appears to impact a protected tree, email the council at development.management@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 3000 for further information.
TPO Process for South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire Council’s page for tree preservation orders
- Find out if a tree is protected by a tree preservation order, contact: email: trees@southglos.gov.uk or phone: 01454 868004
- Submit a request, email naturalenvironment@southglos.gov.uk and include the key information listed in the green box above.
You can email planningenforcement@southglos.gov.uk if you suspect someone has carried out work on a tree with a tree preservation order and the council will investigate.
(c) George Cook
TPO Process for BANES
- Firstly, check your tree(s) are not already protected: view BANES TPOs. Some areas such as conservation areas include TPOs on all trees within the designated area, so where a large area is covered by 1 TPO that is because it is a conservation area. See the guidance note on how to use the map.
- Request a TPO: email development_management@bathnes.gov.uk
or write to Planning Services, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG. Include the key information from the green box.
If your request is successful, the local planning authority will write to the owner and other interested parties (such as the TPO applicant), enclosing a copy of the order. Find information about how to investigate if someone has permission to carry out works, or report works that do not appear to have permission.
TPO Process for North Somerset
North Somerset Council’s page for TPO process
- You can view which trees in your area are protected by tree preservation orders on their Planning Portal map on the link above. To view the correct filter in the map, check the option next to the 'Tree Preservation Order' option in the 'Map Legend'. The trees under protection will then show up in green.
- The best way to seek a TPO request is to email Planning.support@n-somerset.gov.uk
To report activity on a tree that is protected where permission is unclear, you’ll need to log in or create a ‘MyAccount’ with the North Somerset Council and follow the prompts. This portal is accessible here.
George Cook
Nick Turner
Final word on TPOs
TPOs protect trees from felling, pruning and other impacts that may result in their death or damage. A tree doesn’t need to be on public land, only viewable from areas with agreed access, to be considered for a TPO. Follow the processes above to protect tree’s in your area.
Resources
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Advice given by the Team Wilder Community Ecologist, was made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
(C) Hannah Bunn
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