Conservation areas

Guidance on carrying out works

Normal TPO procedures apply if a tree in a conservation area is already protected by a TPO. But if a tree in a conservation area is not covered by a TPO, a person needs to give written notice to the LPA (by letter, email or on the LPA’s form) of any proposed work, describing what they want to do, at least six weeks' before the work starts. This is called a ‘section 211 notice’ and it gives the LPA an opportunity to consider protecting the tree with a TPO.

A person does not not need to give notice of work on a tree in a conservation area less than 7.5 centimetres in diameter, measured 1.5 metres above the ground (or 10 centimetres if thinning to help the growth of other trees).

Find out more about trees in Conservation Areas from the Department for Communities and Local Government The National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning practice guidance notes.