Belfast Tree Surgery – TPOs & Conservation Areas

Belfast Tree Surgery – Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas?

Unsure about how your property may be affected? Let us deal with the hassle and paperwork for you.

Belfast Tree Surgeons, Treescapes NI, have plenty of experience in dealing with planning applications for tree work and have developed a good working relationship with local authorities throughout the Provence. For no extra charge, we are able to submit applications on your behalf to the relevant local authority for any qualifying or recommended works. We are also able to carry out tree inspections and surveys to provide supporting evidence for your application if necessary, chargeable at our normal consultancy rates, or again sometimes free of charge.

Tree Preservation Orders

A tree preservation order (TPO) is an order made by a local planning authority, making it an offence to cut down, lop, uproot, damage or destroy a tree without their permission. If you want to undertake any work to a tree with a preservation order on it you will need to complete and submit an application to your local authority describing the work to be carried out and the reason(s) for the work. Your local authority have the right to prosecute offenders and fines of up to £20,000 for each tree may be imposed by the Magistrates Court in the event of them being convicted of an offence. If proceedings are instituted in the Crown Court fines are unlimited. There is also a duty to replace any tree removed without permission.

Trees in a Conservation Area

In addition, any proposal to cut down, or work on a tree in a designated conservation area, regardless of whether the tree has a preservation order requires at least 6 weeks’ notice to the planning services, using the same application process. This generally applies to all trees that have a diameter of 7.5cm or more, measured at 1.5m above ground level. It is not necessary to obtain approval to do work to trees that are dead, dying or dangerous; however, it is always best to check with the Tree Office of your local authority before undertaking any work. Remember that if you are cutting back overhanging trees owned by a neighbour you will still need Local Authority approval if the tree is covered by a TPO or in a Conservation Area.

If you are in any doubt as to whether a tree has a TPO or is in a conservation area, please contact your local authority who will be able to confirm the information for you, or alternatively give us a ring and we can contact the local authority for you.

Treescapes NI are a leading Tree Surgery company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. All of our staff are fully trained and qualified and are able to offer a full range of Tree Surgery services. You can get more advice on your trees by contacting Treescapes NI on 080 0069 9738 or via the website.