Latest news with #TreePreservationOrders
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households with trees in their home face risk of £20,000 fine this summer
There are strict laws in place surrounding the cutting down or trimming of trees in your garden - and many people could be falling foul of the rules without even realising it UK households with trees in their gardens could be slapped with a hefty £20,000 fine this August. This comes after Martin Fielding from Stockport, who believed he was simply trimming a "regular tree", received a shocking letter from the council. Experts are now warning that many UK households may not realise that trees in residential gardens can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). This means that if you cut down, lop, damage or destroy a protected tree without permission, you could face criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court. Mr Fielding, 51, said: "It was blocking the light in the conservatory and leaning over the fence. So I gave it a proper cut. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I thought trees in your own garden were your responsibility," Mr Fielding continued. "I was shocked to learn I could be fined thousands." Sophie Willoughby, a gardening expert who was contacted by My Home Improvements, explained: "The trouble is, most homeowners have no idea their tree is protected. It's easy to think you're just doing routine garden work, but one snip too many and you could face a hefty fine. "Councils take it very seriously and so they should, because mature trees are crucial for wildlife and air quality," she added. So, check with your council - before cutting or trimming any large trees, contact your local authority to find out if there's a TPO in place. Don't take it for granted that it's alright just because it's in your garden and get written permission – if a tree is protected, you must apply for permission to do any work on it, reports Birmingham Mail. A spokesperson from My Home Improvements, advised: "Before you pick up the saw or shears, take a moment to check your tree isn't protected. Councils don't issue TPOs lightly and breaching one can land you in legal trouble." They added: "Whether you're trimming, pruning or removing, always ask first, as it's a simple step that could save you £20,000 and a trip to court." Gardening during the summer months is an important task. If left on the side, the more it accumulates, the more time it will take from your busy schedules to clear up. Still, it's important to double-check with your local council before undertaking any job that may require more than just chopping a few leaves.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Protected trees felled to save money, group says
Protected trees are being felled as a "cheap and easy option" in subsidence claims, an arboricultural group has London Tree Officers Association (LTOA) said trees were being felled across the country because councils were afraid of being liable for expensive property in England have given permission to fell more than 1,000 trees which previously had Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Spokesperson said applications to address tree-related subsidence damage must be supported by appropriate information, with other factors eliminated as far as possible. The BBC analysed 143 Freedom of Information request responses from councils in England. Of those, 10 directly provided figures for the financial years between 2019 and 2024, showing permission was granted to fell 1,403 previously protected presenter and naturalist Chris Packham said he was "horrified" by the idea that TPOs could be "rendered useless... on account of someone's crumbling conservatory".He said: 'What we're losing is big, established mature trees. We've got to hang on to those at all cost.'Ultimately this is about money. And there is no reason why, in one of the most deforested selection of countries anywhere in Europe, our government didn't ought to be subsidising those councils to protect them against any economic losses that they suffer on account of needing to manage trees." Local authorities could be liable for compensation if they refuse permission to fell a tree that is later blamed for causing problems such as Sarah Dodd, from Barry-based firm Tree Law, said councils sometimes "panicked" when faced with an application to fell a protected said: "They'll be told the worst case scenario - 'It's going to cost us a hundred thousand'."So then they're thinking: 'We haven't got a budget, we're cash-strapped. Where do we get a hundred thousand pounds from?'" Jeremy Barrell, a registered tree consultant based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, said some home insurance companies were "holding a gun to councils' heads".He explained: "They say: 'We think the tree is causing damage to the building. If you don't let us cut the tree down or deal with it, then you will be responsible for any damage.'"And that's quite frightening for local authorities." Two councils told the BBC they had no money to cover large subsidence Gloucestershire Council said: "Due to budget constraints it is unlikely we would have the necessary funds to cover compensation."Therefore consent to fell the tree would be issued as a last resort.'Fareham Borough Council in Hampshire said it had allowed 135 out of 144 felling applications in the past two years and had no budget for compensation leader Simon Martin wrote to the government in 2024, urging new laws to allow councils to defend and Waterlooville MP and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman also previously called for change, saying: "Insurance companies have pressured local authorities into felling perfectly healthy trees with Tree Preservation Orders at the first point of contact." LTOA executive member Andy Tipping said councils were "100%" influenced by money when making decisions on applications to fell protected said the case of the Peterborough oak, which was felled in 2022, was an example where "the council was terrified of the cost of underpinning and allowed it to be removed".He added: "Most of the time, it's a cheap and easy option and seen as removing risk."In another case in February 2025, Enfield Council successfully defended itself from a £144,000 claim for damage to a Lands Tribunal found there was insufficient evidence to link subsidence to a nearby oak surveyor Ian Brett-Pitt said the case showed that unreasonable felling applications could be Tipping, Mr Brett-Pitt and Ms Dodd are part of a team which is about to publish a revised agreement with insurance companies - the Joint Mitigation Protocol - on best practice in subsidence cases. The Association of British Insurers previously said felling was not its default solution to protect a statement, it said: "Insurers understand concerns with tree felling, and they will assess each claim on a case-by-case basis, striking a balance between preserving greenery while ensuring that property owners are protected."Sometimes there are alternative solutions, such as introducing tree-root barriers, or tree reductions, but these are not always possible due to space and the proximity of a tree to a property." The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "There are existing procedures designed to support options other than felling."We have published guidance that makes it clear that applications to address tree-related subsidence damage must be supported by appropriate information, and that other factors have been eliminated as far as possible."The BBC received direct figures in FOI responses from councils in Amber Valley, Basildon, Breckland, Colchester, Dartford, Dorset, Epping Forest, New Forest, Oadby and Wigston and West Berkshire. Additional reporting by Alix Hattenstone
Edinburgh Reporter
04-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
East Lothian hotel car park trees put under protection order
Dozens of trees surrounding a hotel car park have been placed under a protection order after the site was put up for sale. East Lothian Council officers moved to protect the trees at the Marine Hotel North Berwick, in a bid to ensure any future owner would not be able to chop them down. A report to councillors confirming Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) had been approved for the woodlands, said a decision to put part of the land on the market had sparked the intervention. It said: 'It was brought to the attention of East Lothian Council that part of the car park for the Marine Hotel was for sale. On assessment of the site, it was noted there were significant trees within and adjacent to the site. 'Confirmation of this order has safeguarded the amenity value of these and other significant mature and semi-mature trees that form the landscape setting for Cromwell Road. These trees are now protected under planning law and cannot be legally pruned or removed without the prior agreement of the council.' The report said the trees were an integral part of the historic Victorian streetscape with a number of them appearing to date back to the original building dates and make a 'significant contribution to the visual amenity and overall character of this part of North Berwick.' It added: 'If these trees were lost, it would impact significantly on this area of North Berwick and represent a significant loss to the visual amenity of this part of North Berwick.' Among the trees protected under the order are a mixed age woodland which is mainly made up of sycamore with horse chestnut, lime and rowan trees lining the car park also covered. The report said the orders ensured that any future work involving the trees would have to be brought to the council for approval. It said: 'It does not prevent the owners of the trees from applying to the council for permission to do tree management work if necessary in the future. 'However, the TPO would give the council control over such proposals and this control would be used to ensure tree cover is retained in this area.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Protection order placed on trees after hotel car park put up for sale
A report to councillors confirming Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) had been approved for the woodlands, said a decision to put part of the land on the market had sparked the intervention. It said: 'It was brought to the attention of East Lothian Council that part of the car park for the Marine Hotel was for sale. On assessment of the site, it was noted there were significant trees within and adjacent to the site. 'Confirmation of this order has safeguarded the amenity value of these and other significant mature and semi-mature trees that form the landscape setting for Cromwell Road. These trees are now protected under planning law and cannot be legally pruned or removed without the prior agreement of the council.' Read More The report said the trees were an integral part of the historic Victorian streetscape with a number of them appearing to date back to the original building dates and make a 'significant contribution to the visual amenity and overall character of this part of North Berwick.' It added: 'If these trees were lost, it would impact significantly on this area of North Berwick and represent a significant loss to the visual amenity of this part of North Berwick.' Among the trees protected under the order are a mixed age woodland which is mainly made up of sycamore with horse chestnut, lime and rowan trees lining the car park also covered. The report said the orders ensured that any future work involving the trees would have to be brought to the council for approval. It said: 'It does not prevent the owners of the trees from applying to the council for permission to do tree management work if necessary in the future. 'However, the TPO would give the council control over such proposals and this control would be used to ensure tree cover is retained in this area.'
Edinburgh Live
04-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian hotel car park trees placed under protection order
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dozens of trees surrounding a hotel car park have been placed under a protection order after the site was put up for sale. East Lothian Council officers moved to protect the trees at the Marine Hotel North Berwick, in a bid to ensure any future owner would not be able to chop them down. A report to councillors confirming Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) had been approved for the woodlands, said a decision to put part of the land on the market had sparked the intervention. It said: "It was brought to the attention of East Lothian Council that part of the car park for the Marine Hotel was for sale. On assessment of the site, it was noted there were significant trees within and adjacent to the site. "Confirmation of this order has safeguarded the amenity value of these and other significant mature and semi-mature trees that form the landscape setting for Cromwell Road. These trees are now protected under planning law and cannot be legally pruned or removed without the prior agreement of the council." The report said the trees were an integral part of the historic Victorian streetscape with a number of them appearing to date back to the original building dates and make a "significant contribution to the visual amenity and overall character of this part of North Berwick." It added: "If these trees were lost, it would impact significantly on this area of North Berwick and represent a significant loss to the visual amenity of this part of North Berwick." Among the trees protected under the order are a mixed age woodland which is mainly made up of sycamore with horse chestnut, lime and rowan trees lining the car park also covered. The report said the orders ensured that any future work involving the trees would have to be brought to the council for approval. It said: "It does not prevent the owners of the trees from applying to the council for permission to do tree management work if necessary in the future. "However, the TPO would give the council control over such proposals and this control would be used to ensure tree cover is retained in this area." Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
