Winter support
Colchester Borough Council is providing support for residents, businesses and communities throughout winter.
Colchester Borough Council is providing support for residents, businesses and communities throughout winter.
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is put in place to preserve single or groups of trees which are of acknowledged amenity value.
You can't undertake work to a protected tree unless you've applied for Tree Works Consent and we've approved it. This applies to the following work:
Read more on the Government's site
Trees on large development sites must be properly protected during construction. Read more
Details of tree protection or Conservation Areas on your property should be written in your deeds. If you can’t find anything, try searching our map.
Check if your tree is protected
If trees don't have a TPO, or aren't in a Conservation Area, work can be done without Tree Works Consent.
We don't provide written information regarding trees that aren't protected by a TPO.
If you suspect work is being done without Tree Works Consent, just contact us.
Conservation Areas are areas of natural beauty or of special architectural or historic interest.
Works in Conservation Areas are controlled or restricted to project or improve the character or appearance of the area.
Trees in Conservation Areas are protected as part of preserving the amenity value of the area, so even if the tree(s) isn't protected by a TPO, you still need to apply for consent for works to it.
Conservation Areas can be put in place for a number of reasons. They can be for protecting the natural beauty of the area or for preserving special architectural work and places of historic interest.
Conservation Areas can be spread over wide areas. For example, a whole village could be within a Conservation Area.
A tree can also be protected by a TPO and be within a Conservation Area.
You must give us 6 weeks notice before doing any work to trees in Conservation Areas.
We'll consider the proposed work and whether the tree should be protected by a preservation order. We have up to 6 weeks to agree the work or decide to make a preservation order on the tree(s) affected by the notice.
Details of approved applications for works to trees with TPOs or agreed Conservation Areas:
You'll need to assess yourself before deciding if works need to be carried out.
It's recommended you speak to a professional like a tree surgeon or arboricultural consultant.
We can advise you based on the following fees:
TPOs can only be used to protect selected trees and woodlands if their removal would have a significant impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public.
If you think your tree qualifies, you can apply to have a tree considered for protection.
Tree Works Consent
To carry out works to protected trees, or trees within a Conservation area, you'll need to apply for specific planning permission called "Tree Works Consent".
Once we've received your application and validated it, it can take up to 8 weeks for a decision to be made.
Once consent has been granted, you'll need to arrange and pay for the works. You'll also have to follow any conditions imposed.
If you need to go onto someone else's property to do the work, you must obtain permission from the land owner.
Permission to undertake work to a tree protected by a preservation order or in a conservation area doesn't mean we give you permission to enter someone else's property to do the work. The owner of the tree must agree to this.
You don't need consent from us to carry out works to trees which can be proven to be dead, or have become immediately dangerous.
However, if you propose to remove a tree under these exemptions we recommend you give us at least 5 days' notice, except in an emergency.
If you're not sure if the tree will fall, you should obtain the advice of an Arboriculturalist or Tree surgeon.
Read more on the Planning Portal
Depending on the type of application you intend to submit, there may be additional documents that are required.
There is no charge to apply for Tree Works Consent.
You can obtain a copy of the application form by contacting us but we will charge a reasonable fee for printing and posting.