A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) legally protects individual trees, groups of trees, areas, or woodlands that are in danger. If there's a TPO on a tree, you’ll need to get permission from us before doing any work.
After requesting a Tree Preservation Order, the tree is not protected until a planning officer has been in contact to confirm the decision.
If there's a TPO on a tree, you’ll need to get permission from us before doing any work. This work includes:
- cutting it down
- cutting back its branches
- digging near its roots
Doing any work on a protected tree without permission is against the law. If you do so, you could receive a fine of up to £20,000. You may have to plant a new tree to replace each one you damage.
Check if a tree is already protected
Use our map to find out whether a tree is protected. Select the ‘layer list’ icon in the top-right corner then the ‘planning search by map’ option, then choose the ‘tree preservation orders’ option and turn off the other layers.
Once you have selected a TPO, select the arrow on the right-hand side of the box to view more information on our planning portal, Public Access.
Request a TPO
You can use our online form for:
- single trees
- group of trees
- woodlands
A TPO cannot be applied to:
- hedges, shrubs, or bushes
- stop approved building work
- all trees in a neighbourhood
In your application you’ll need to include:
- the tree’s location
- the type of tree it is
- why it needs protection
- photos showing the tree and why it’s at risk
Next steps
- we will look at the tree’s health, how visible it is, and its impact
- even if a tree is worth protecting, we won’t always make an order if it’s not threatened
- it might take us up to 12 weeks to decide on an action
- we’ll tell you our decision and consult others over 28 days before making it official.
Request TPO documents
To view TPO documents please go to our planning portal, Public Access. Here you can search for a TPO using a keyword, reference number, postcode or single line of an address.
Historic documents may not be available online. To request these please email planning@greatercambridgeplanning.org
Trees in conservation areas
Trees in conservation areas have protection even if they don't have a TPO. Carrying out unauthorised work on a protected tree is a criminal offence.
If you live in a conservation area and want to work on trees, legally you must give us 6 weeks written notice before work begins. Get permission to work on protected trees.
Conservation area tree works notices are available to view on our planning portal. We will try to contact tree owners when a neighbour submits a notice. The parishes are automatically notified of all tree work notices.
If the trees stand in a Church of England graveyard within a conservation area, or there are Tree Preservation Orders, you will need to submit a tree works notice to us and a faculty application to the Diocese of Ely.