Tree Pres. order..advice.

ipri

Hi...our neighbour across a small river which separates our houses has approached me Re. our mature trees . He is concerned that, if they fall, they will damage his property, (they were there when he moved in 4 yrs ago...they are 50+ yrs old). He is seeking permission to reduce the height of these. I am sympathetic to his cause. At the same time I hate to see our trees cut to size.....I believe "Topping" is his aim. He is not asking me for any payment as it is his property that will benefit.


I know that some of these trees have preservation orders ....will the council come to assess the situation and discuss / advise me before the deed is done?...any other advise / experiences gratefully accepted.

Doozergirl

If you have TPOs, you need to seek formal permission (essentially planning permission) from the council before touching them. The council won't contact you!

Phone your local planning office to get details on what is required from you.

It is an offence to top a tree with a TPO without permission and it will be you in trouble, not your neighbour.

shaun_from_Africa

ipri wrote: »

I know that some of these trees have preservation orders ....will the council come to assess the situation and discuss / advise me before the deed is done?...any other advise / experiences gratefully accepted.

As it is illegal to carry out any work on the trees without written permission of your local council, I would expect someone to want to view the trees to confirm that the work does need to be carried out.

ipri

Thanks...if the planning officer does give permission...will he also state how much can be removed and will he oversee the job to ensure compliance?

Doozergirl

ipri wrote: »

Thanks...if the planning officer does give permission...will he also state how much can be removed and will he oversee the job to ensure compliance?

I have a feeling that you will need to submit a report from a tree surgeon or other, saying what needs doing and why.

Planners don't generally oversee what they approve. You need to employ the correct people.

silvercar

ipri wrote: »

Thanks...if the planning officer does give permission...will he also state how much can be removed and will he oversee the job to ensure compliance?

Yes. They will agree a percentage for thinning and one for high reduction. They will inspect afterwards.

paddy's_mum

ipri wrote: »

He is not asking me for any payment as it is his property that will benefit.

I should hope not!

You may find that if it is made clear to Mr Neighbour that all the costs of what he wishes to do fall to his wallet, he will not be quite so keen.

In your shoes, I'd be making sure that there's no misunderstanding regarding the costs right from the start.

ipri

Sorry...didn't make it clear...he is paying for the work.

unforeseen

ipri wrote: »

Sorry...didn't make it clear...he is paying for the work.

But I bet he wasn't thinking about the cost of a tree surgeon report and planning permission on top of the work though

Not forgetting that the planners may say no so he has spent money for nothing

paddy's_mum

unforeseen wrote: »

But I bet he wasn't thinking about the cost of a tree surgeon report and planning permission on top of the work though

Not forgetting that the planners may say no so he has spent money for nothing

Exactly and this is what Mr Neighbour needs to be aware of. All costs fall to him, not just those for the actual tree surgeons work.

elsien

Is there a charge for applying to do work on a tree with a TPO? Fairly sure I didn't have to pay anything to the council and the quote from the tree surgeon had enough information to be able to complete the form. Although I did get the council officer out first to discuss before putting the application in, as it was an old very large oak tree.