Buying a house with TPO - can I build into the tree canopy area?.

Andyhhh

Hi Folks,

I'm shortly wanting to exchange on a property that has a 'blanket' TPO, which I hope to build an extension on.

I understand that my local authority (Windsor) forbid any building within the 'root protections areas', whereas many LPAs permit 10/20% of the RPAs to be built within. Windsor is known to be fanatical and very restrictive about preserving trees, being far more stringent than many other LPAs.

I want to build a second story on top of a double garage, but the garage has a small % of the trees canopy of the TPO'd mature oak tree overhanging the existing single story garage.

My question is, am I likley to be given permission to trim a couple of meters off the oak, to permit the second story to be built?

Many thanks in advance

glasgowdan

You need to ask the council's tree officer. They#ll usually come and visit at no charge and speak to you.

theartfullodger

It helps to know the correct name of the council.

When you asked the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, what did they say?
https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/info/200888/tree_management/191/tree_strategy_and_policy_guidance/15

Perhaps Adam A can help

POPPYOSCAR

glasgowdan wrote: »

You need to ask the council's tree officer. They#ll usually come and visit at no charge and speak to you.

Our council will not do that.

We have to get a report prepared of works needed to be done ourselves and submit to them for their approval.

eddddy

Andyhhh wrote: »

I want to build a second story on top of a double garage, but the garage has a small % of the trees canopy of the TPO'd mature oak tree overhanging the existing single story garage.

Have you been given any indication that the foundations and construction of the garage can support a second storey?

Andyhhh

Thanks.

Re: the foundations. Yes, I understand that there is a clever way of making the garage foundations work for a 2nd story without digging further down in anyway.

Artfuldodger. Yes, thank you, I am aware of what my local authority is called. I am also seeking opinions here before speaking with the council, as there can be very specific and well documented downsides to communicating with them about TPOs before having ones ducks in a row.

silvercar

Speak to a local architect who has experience with your council.

It may be that an application to prune the tree, within TPO officer guidelines, followed by a planning application will have more success. Particularly if the pruning was done in such a way as to remove the overhang.

gettingtheresometime

Andyhhh wrote: »

Thanks.

Re: the foundations. Yes, I understand that there is a clever way of making the garage foundations work for a 2nd story without digging further down in anyway.

You might like to speak to a structural engineer as well.