|
Is the responsibility of the land owner to ensure that the necessary permissions/consents are in place prior to starting.
T.P.O. – Tree Preservation Order
A legally enforceable Order made by the local planning authority to protect trees or woodland from deliberate damage and destruction. TPOs prevent the felling, lopping, topping, uprooting or otherwise wilful damaging of trees without the permission of the local planning authority.
A decision is usually made within 8 weeks – DO NOT carry out any work until you have a notice (letter) of consent.
Fines for disregarding this legislation can be as high as £20,000 so be sure you have the right advice – a good arborist will be able to help with an application.
Conservation Area
An area designated because of its special character and architectural or historical importance. Within a Conservation Area, all trees have a level of protection similar to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order and, therefore, you must notify the local planning authority of any work you wish to carry out to maintain or remove such trees.
A decision is usually made within 6 weeks – DO NOT carry out any work until you have a decision notice (letter).
Fines can be as high as £20,000 so be sure you have the right advice – a good arborist will be able to help with an application.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Offences included are; “killing, injuring a wild bird or animal, damaging or destroying the nest/shelter of a wild bird or animal” – this is especially relevant to tree work during the bird nesting season of April – August inclusive.
Fines can be up to £2,500 or 6 months imprisonment per offence – 2 destroyed nests could earn you a £10,000 fine or a year’s ‘holiday’!
SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest
These cover about 7% of the land area of England and they are for the protection of plants and animals that find it more difficult to survive in the wider countryside. Causing damage to a SSSI can attract a fine of up to £20,000 per offence.
AoNB – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
There are 33 AoNBs in England, covering about 18% of the land area and they are for the protection of “flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as scenic views”. Penalties for causing damage to an AoNB vary but recent prosecutions have brought fines of £125,000
|
