2. Trees in conservation areas
All trees within Conservation Areas are protected if they have a stem diameter of 7.5 cm or more, measured at 1.5 metres above ground level.
It is a criminal offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, damage, or destroy a tree in a Conservation Area without first giving the Council six weeks’ written notice. This notice period enables the Council to consider whether the tree should be formally protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
You can check if a property lies within a designated Conservation Area using our Map of Conservation Areas.
Submitting a Conservation Area Notification
A notification to carry out works on a tree in a Conservation Area can be submitted in any written format. For clarity and completeness, we recommend using the standard application form available on the Planning Portal.