Local History and Heritage

Tree Preservation Orders

The Council helps to protect trees and woodland by making use of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). This is a legal order, making it an offence to damage or destroy, fell, lop, top or uproot certain trees without the Council's consent. The aims of TPOs are to prevent unnecessary felling and pruning and to ensure that, where felling is permitted, replacement trees are planted.

TPOs can cover a single tree, groups of trees or woodlands. They cannot preserve hedges, bushes or shrubs. Trees need not be exceptional or unusual specimens to merit inclusion in a TPO. Anyone can ask for a TPO to be made. If you feel that certain trees and woodland merit such protection, you should contact the Tree Officer. TPOs are registered as Local Land Charges- your solicitor will tell you if such an order affects any property you intend to purchase. Although protected trees are the responsibility of the landowner, the Council's written consent is needed before any felling or pruning takes place. It is an offence to work on a protected tree without such consent. For details of a TPO, please contact the Tree Officer on 01939 238543 or e-mail your enquiry for the attention of the Tree Officer at trees@northshropshiredc.gov.uk. 

A TPO should aid positive management of trees and should not be regarded as a negative or restrictive tool. However, if unauthorised work takes place, the Council can take legal action which can lead to fines of up to £20,000, or twice the value of each tree, whichever is the greater. It is in everyone's interests to contact the Tree Officer is any work is being considered. Such approaches are welcome, and the Officer will give help and advice on the health and safety of protected trees.

Further information can be found on the website of the Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister

Trees In A Conservation Area

All trees in a Conservation Area are protected, even if they are not the subject of a TPO. The felling or pruning of these trees must not take place without giving the Council six weeks notice of the intention to carry out such work. During this time, consideration can be given to the making of a TPO.

Hedgerow Regulations-

New rules on hedgerows came into force on 1 June 1997

It is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission. To get permission to remove a hedgerow, you must write to your local planning authority. If the authority decide to prohibit removal of an important hedgerow, it must let you know within 6 weeks. If you remove a hedgerow without permission (whether it is important or not) you may face an unlimited fine. You may also have to replace the hedgerow.

High Hedges

You can visit the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website for more High Hedges Information

Guidance on how you can agree a solution about problem high hedges, including the new legislation which allows local authorities to consider complaints under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. Also how to assess light restriction.

Other Useful Information

Felling Licences - Felling licences are required from the Forestry Commission under the Forestry Act, where an owner wishes to fell timber. The Forestry Commission and the Council consult on applications for felling licences. Use this link to make an enquiry: The Forestry Commission, Great Eastern House, Tenison Road, Cambridge, CB1 2DU

Related Documents

'Over the Hedge' leaflet

Guidance notes for complaining about High Hedges

To apply on line for hedgerow removal or for tree works; works to trees subject to a preservation order (TPO) and/or notification of proposed works to trees in conservation area, please use this link to the Planning Portal.

General History & Heritage Information

For more infromation on the history and heritage of the North Shropshire district you may wish to visit the Discover Shropshire website or Vision of Britain website.