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CONSERVATION & DESIGN

You should find the answers to many of your questions on this page. We also point you in the right direction if you want more information or need to make contact.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)

Background

The 'Town and Country Planning Act 1990' empowers any local planning authority to serve a Tree Preservation Order where it would appear 'expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for the preservation of trees or woodland in their area' and when considering planning applications.

Trees may be protected due to their landscape value, contribution within a street scene or setting of a built up area, historical value or interest within the local area.

A Tree Preservation Order can be served on an individual tree, group of trees or woodland; this can include trees within a hedgerow but not hedges, bushes or shrubs

Making a Tree Preservation Order

On serving a Tree Preservation Order it becomes an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree which is afforded this protection without firstly obtaining consent from South Cambridgeshire District Council.

South Cambridgeshire District Council does not take on the responsibility of maintenance for a tree on which a Tree Preservation Order is served. The owner still has a legal responsibility to undertake their 'Duty of Care'.

When a Tree Preservation Order is made a copy is sent to the owner/occupier of the property/land and to all adjacent neighbours; a copy may be posted on site. Copies are sent to the Parish Council, Utility companies and held at South Cambridgeshire District Council for public viewing by appointment.

There is a 28-day period for written objections to a Tree Preservation Order; these should be sent to the Trees and Landscape Officer.

Applications to carry out works on protected trees

If you are intending to undertake tree works to a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order consent must be gained from South Cambridgeshire District Council by submitting an application form, downloadble below:

• Works to trees subject to a Preservation Order (TPO) application form.
• Guidance note for describing intended work to protected trees
• TPO works checklist

If you do not own the tree(s) you must gain consent from the owner prior to undertaking any works that have been granted consent

On receipt of the application form there is an eight-week consultation process. South Cambridgeshire District Council will make a site visit to assess the works being requested and will either give consent, refuse consent or give conditional consent

The owner has the right of appeal against any refusal of consent to undertake tree works

Penalties

Any works undertaken to a protected tree without gaining consent form South Cambridgeshire District Council is a criminal offence and a criminal prosecution may be brought with fines up to £20,000.

Exemptions

There are exemptions from the legislation, this includes trees that are dead,dying or dangerous, however, the trees and landscape department should be contacted to clarify and a five-day notice sent to South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Contact

Trees and Landscape officer [treesandlandscapes@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)]

Telephone: 03450 450 500
Fax: 01954 713152

Trees & Landscape Service
Conservation & Design
South Cambridgeshire Hall
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
Cambridgeshire
CB23 6EA

THERE IS NO FEE FOR THIS SERVICE