Tree Preservation Orders
Find out if a tree is protected. Get information about working on trees with Tree Preservation Orders or trees within conservation areas.
What a Tree Preservation order is
Tree Preservation Orders are made by councils to protect important trees and woodland.
The main effect of an order is to prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the permission of the local authority.
In Brighton & Hove, hundreds of trees are protected by such orders. Complete our parks contact form to find out whether a tree is protected.
Work on trees under a Tree Preservation Order
According to Town and Country Planning Trees regulations, a new standard form for applications must be used for consent to work on trees under a Tree Preservation Order. The changes also streamline the process for dealing with appeals against tree preservation order application decisions.
The new form can be printed from the Planning Portal website and posted to us. Don't send it to the Development Control address at the top of the application form. Send it to: Arboriculture Service, City Parks Offices, Stanmer Nursery, Stanmer Park, Lewes, Road, Brighton, BN1 9SE.
Alternatively, submit the form electronically. For help with completing the form read the guidance notes.
Although there are no changes to the way conservation area notifications are submitted (either by using the form as mentioned above, or by letter), the same information is required as in the Tree Preservation Order application form.
Complete our parks contact form if:
- there are trees which you think should be protected
- if you've seen work being carried out on a protected tree and want to know if the owner has permission
Copies of Tree Preservation Orders
Request a copy of a Tree Preservation Order. The fee is £41.40. We'll invoice you for the fee.
Trees in Conservation Areas
Do you intend to fell or carry out work on a tree within a Conservation Area?
Does the tree have a stem diameter which exceeds 75mm when measured at 1.5m above ground level?
If so, then you must give the council 6 weeks of prior notice by letter of your intention to carry out this work. The letter must still include the information required by the Tree Preservation Order form.
This is a legal requirement. The purpose of this is to give us an opportunity to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made in respect of the tree.