Tree works

Contact us to report illegal tree works:

Telephone: 01483 743844

Unauthorised tree works

Trees protected by TPOs and trees in conservation areas need our permission to be worked on. You can be prosecuted if a protected tree is:

• cut down
• lopped or topped
• deliberately destroyed 
• damaged

You could be fined up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court. In a Crown Court, the potential fine is unlimited.  

Fines for tree contractors

In addition, if you arrange for a contractor to conduct works on a tree protected by a TPO or within a conservation area without our permission, the contractor could be fined up to £2,500 in a magistrates’ court or unlimited fines in a Crown Court.

Find out more about enforcing tree protection offences on the GOV.UK website.

Tree works and breaches of planning

Breaches of planning are when tree works take place without our permission or when we have set conditions for the works to take place and these have not been followed or delivered. 

We can issue a temporary stop notice to deal with breaches of tree related conditions. This notice is effective immediately for a period of up to 28 days.

Our tree officers have authorisation (‘delegated powers’) to serve such notices under Section 171E of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 – legislation.gov.uk. 

The notice prevents further works on site until we are satisfied that conditions have been met and tree protection details have been agreed.

Breaking the conditions of a temporary stop notice is an offence. If you are found guilty of this offence in a magistrates’ court, you could be fined up to £20,000. In a Crown Court, the potential fine is unlimited.