Planning Permission and Tree Law in London: What Tree Owners Need to Know
As a tree owner in London, you have a unique set of responsibilities. Whether you’re planning to remove trees or carry out general maintenance, it’s important to understand how tree laws will impact your plans and whether planning permission is required.
At Hickson Wardle, we deliver exceptional tree care and always consider the long-term health of the tree. Our services include tree pruning, tree felling and stump removal, and we can help you navigate your legal requirements with confidence. You can trust that all tree works will be carried out safely, lawfully and without negative repercussions.
How Does Planning Permission Affect Trees?
In London, certain trees are legally protected either by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or because they’re in a conservation area. This means you can’t carry out any tree maintenance or removal without permission from the local authority. When making an Application for Tree Works, there are certain things you need to include, such as the tree location, the species of tree if known, description of works and reasons for these works, as well as information to support your case like advice from professional tree surgeons.
An application for tree works on a tree with a TPO can take up to 8 weeks to gain approval, and a site visit may be required to assess the proposed works. For trees in conservation areas, local planning authorities have 6 weeks to consent or object to the works and, if they feel necessary, make a TPO on the impacted trees. If you don’t get approval before carrying out work, it may result in serious penalties, including large fines and paying for replacement trees.
Before any project begins, at Hickson Wardle, we will check whether your trees fall into either of these categories. If they do, we will apply for the required permissions on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about lengthy paperwork. We can assure you that we will get things right from the start and the tree works can be carried out in confidence.
Protect Trees: The Legal Obligations
There are two important pieces of legislation to be aware of as a tree owner in London. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012 cover both Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, clearly outlining your responsibilities and what’s required before works can be carried out. Ultimately, you are obliged by law to ensure that no unauthorised pruning or felling is performed, which includes seemingly small jobs like trimming overhanging branches or crown thinning.
It’s worth noting that tree owners also have a duty of care under common law. In short, this means you are responsible for keeping your trees in safe condition to prevent injury to people or property damage. Professional tree maintenance services are beneficial if you’re unsure how to care for your trees yourself, and it’s highly recommended that you speak to an arborist in North London if your trees are protected to prevent any issues down the line.
Common Mistakes by Owners
It’s really easy to make mistakes when it comes to tree law and seeking planning permission, especially in areas like Hackney or other parts of North London where trees may seem unimportant. Some of the most common mistakes tree owners make include;
● Forgetting to check for TPOs or conservation area restrictions before starting work
● Assuming small pruning jobs don’t need permission
● Hiring unqualified contractors who aren’t aware of legal requirements
● Overlooking regular tree maintenance, leading to safety hazards, property damage or disputes with neighbours
How Can Hickson Wardle Help?
At Hickson Wardle, our skilled arborists provide a complete, end-to-end approach to tree care. Before starting any work, we will check whether your trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders or fall within a conservation area. We can then apply for any required permissions on your behalf, from completing the paperwork to communicating with the local authority, you won’t need to worry about a thing.
Our professional service also includes conducting thorough tree risk assessments and providing advice on required maintenance. Whether you need some simple pruning or a complete tree removal, we pride ourselves on always doing an excellent job. As fully qualified, insured and accredited arborists in North London, you can have peace of mind knowing your trees will be in very good hands. With an in-depth knowledge of local planning rules, we’re well equipped to support both residential and commercial projects.
Contact Us Today
If you need some assistance with tree works, get in touch with us at Hickson Wardle today. You can call us on 020 8090 8531 or email us at office@hicksonwardle.com and we can answer any questions you may have about the legal status of your trees. As trusted tree surgeons in Hackney, we make tree maintenance straightforward and you can enjoy your green spaces for years to come while remaining fully compliant with local regulations.