Planning

Tree Preservation orders are part of the Town and Country Planning Act 2012 and offer protection to valuable trees that add to the amenity of the area or are a fine natural specimen.

Tree preservation Orders can protect individual trees, groups of trees or woodlands.

These laws make it an offence to: Cut down / Top / lop/ uproot / wilful damage /wilful destruction a TPO'd tree without the formal consent of the managing authority.

These categories include works above ground to the parts of tree such as the main stem/trunk/ branches/ and all other visible parts and also below ground to the trees root system.

TPO can be enforced by the Local Planning Authority or the County Council depending on their location.

Locations of TPO's can be found on most Council websites or by contacting the Local Planning Department.

https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/tree-preservation-order https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/interactivemaps

A planning application must be submitted to the managing authority through the Planning Portal, outlining the specific work to the trees and a plan of their location. A decision will be issued by the authority when the application has been considered, normally within 8 weeks.

If works are carried out without permission and is found guilty of this offence is liable, if convicted in the Magistrates' Court, to a fine of up to £20,000. In serious cases a person may be committed for trial in the Crown Court and, if convicted, is liable to an unlimited fine.