TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS
What are Tree Preservation Orders?
The Council has powers to protect trees by making TPOs and will send copies of these orders to the landowner concerned and explain the reason for making them. The landowner will have a chance to comment on any order before it is permanently confirmed.
How do they affect properties?
Should any trees around a property be protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), approval from Horsham District Council will be required before any works are carried out on those trees. Trees in conservation areas are also protected. In this case, no works can be carried out to a tree which is over 3 inches in diameter at chest height without notifying the Council which will then have six weeks to decide whether to allow the work or to make a TPO.
When considering proposed works to preserved trees, including surgery or felling, it is necessary to consider the justification of the proposed works and it’s impact on the local environment. To download the relevant forms to make an application to work on trees either protected by TPO or within a conservation area please visit our forms area on this website and look for 'Tree works within TPO/Conservation Area' under Miscellaneous.
You can get the leaflet Protected Trees from the Planning Directorate or view it online at the communities website. To find out whether trees are affected by Tree Preservation Orders or are within a Conservation Area, please consult our Trees Section on Tel: 01403 215515 or email planning@horsham.gov.uk
How do I apply for a TPO
Any person can apply for a TPO to be put on trees owned either by themselves or someone else; however all requests are subject to a strict criteria to warrant a TPO being made. To do this, you will need to write to our Tree Section at:
Tree Section
Horsham District Council
Park North
North Street
Horsham
RH12 1RL
indicating why you feel the tree/trees are especial and worthy of protection and why you feel they may be under threat. It is crucial to include a sketch plan/map indicating the positions of the trees you refer to.