Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)
The Parish Council has appointed Tree Wardens and they play an active role in conserving and enhancing the trees that you see and enjoy in our Parish.
There are a number of trees within the East Farndon Parish that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). A TPO is an order made to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity and prohibits the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the local planning authority’s written consent.
Owners of protected trees must not carry out, or cause or permit to carry out, any of the prohibited activities without the written consent of the local authority. If you have any concerns or queries regarding a tree subject to a TPO, or have a general query, please email the Parish Clerk at: parish clerk.eastfarndon@gmail.com
Click the links below to access further information on our protected trees.
Important Note – It is an offence to fell trees without a licence
Did you know it is now an offence to fell trees without a licence if an exemption does not apply? The government recently introduced unlimited fines to deter illegal tree felling in England, following concern over possible rising levels of illegal felling, particularly ahead of development proposals being submitted.
Felling is legally controlled and generally requires a licence to be issued before work starts. There is an exemption allowing landowners to fell up to 5 cubic metres of growing trees in any calendar quarter on a property without a licence, as long as no more than 2 cubic metres of this is sold. For example, a tree 10m in height with a diameter of 30cm around the midpoint of the trunk is estimated to equate to just over 0.7 cubic metres.
Other exemptions apply, including allowing for lopping and topping, and for small trees of less than 8cm in diameter – measured at 1.3m from the ground – to be removed. Nuisance or dangerous trees can also be felled without a licence, as can fruit trees. If relying on one of the exemptions, it is the landowner’s responsibility to prove that it applies.
Everyone involved in the felling of trees (the owner, agent and timber merchant or contractor) must ensure that a licence has been issued before any felling is carried out, unless they are certain that one of the exemptions apply. If there’s no licence or other valid permission, or if the wrong trees are felled, anyone involved can be prosecuted.
You’re advised to engage with neighbours to make them aware of your tree felling plans. For more information about felling licences, why you need one, and how to get one, read the attached booklet by clicking the link below.
Tree Felling – Getting Permission
The Government advice on this can be accessed by clicking ths link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-felling-overview#tree-felling-licence
You can read our Website Accessibility Statement via the link here: https://eastfarndon.org/parish-council-website-accessibility-statement/ If you require any information in an alternative format, please email the Parish Clerk at: parishclerk.eastfarndon@gmail.com