Work to protected trees | Shropshire Council

You must apply for our consent before doing any work to a tree protected by a tree preservation order, and you're required to give us six weeks’ prior notice of work to a tree within a conservation area.

You can submit the form via the National Planning Portal. If you're unable to submit it online, you can complete our pdf fillable trees application form and email it to us with a plan of the tree(s) location to trees@shropshire.gov.uk.

Formal permission isn't required to fell protected trees that are dead or dangerous. However, unless the situation demands emergency action, it's necessary to contact us for advice on whether or not the tree is within this category. We may agree to the removal of a protected tree, but the owner will normally be required to replace the tree with one of a suitable species and size.

I’m concerned that my protected tree is dead and/or dangerous. What should I do?

If a tree requires urgent works on the grounds of safety, we can grant an exemption to the usual full application procedure, using what's called a five-day notice. To qualify for the five-day notice, we ask that you email trees@shropshire.gov.uk with the details of the hazardous condition of the tree(s) and what work is proposed, together with some photographs and a description of the location.

If we're satisfied that the exemption applies, we'll notify you that the proposed work can go ahead without needing to submit a full application. Please note that any exemption would usually only cover works to address immediate safety concerns; any non-urgent work would require a full application.

Please note there's a legal duty to replant a replacement tree for any that are removed because they are dead or dangerous.

How do I apply to do work to a protected tree?

It depends on whether the tree is protected by a TPO or because it's located within a conservation area. (If both apply, the TPO process takes precedence).

For TPOs, you need to complete an application form. For conservation areas, you need to give us six weeks’ notice.

You can submit an application/notice via the Online Planning Portal or complete a pdf form. Please refer to our guidance notes when completing your application form.

It's vital to include a clear description of the work proposed, including measurements. A proposal to simply ‘prune’ or ‘trim’ branches is too vague because it fails to indicate the extent of the works. You must send a plan identifying the location of the tree(s) with your application/notice and include photos if possible. There's no application fee.

What happens to my application/notice?

Once your application form/notice has been submitted and validated, we'll send you an acknowledgement letter. The details of your application can then be viewed via the online Planning Register.

We'll send you a site notice to display so that members of the public have an opportunity to comment on your application. For TPO trees, the notice should be displayed for 21 days, and for trees in conservation areas, for 14 days. We ask you to send us a photograph of the site notice in situ. We also consult the town/parish council.

We may carry out a site visit to help us assess the proposed works, and we may contact you to discuss your application.

How long do I have to wait for a decision?

Tree preservation orders

We have eight weeks to determine an application to work on trees protected by a TPO.

Conservation areas

We have six weeks to consider the proposed tree works. If we object to the work, we have to make a TPO to protect the tree(s) concerned. If we feel that the works are inappropriate, we may discuss alternative work with you.

If a TPO is made this will prevent you doing any work to the tree without making an application for consent.

For TPO applications we should issue a decision notice to the applicant, or their agent, within eight weeks. For conservation areas, we may issue a decision notice, or, if you don't hear from us within the six weeks from the date you received your acknowledgement letter, you can proceed with the work as detailed in the notice.

You can view the status of your application at any time via the online Planning Register.

Will there be any conditions attached to the permission?

A decision under a TPO application may have conditions attached, eg controlling the type or amount of pruning, or specifying replacement planting when a protected tree is felled. We can't make conditions on a decision under a conservation area notice.

Can I request a copy of a decision notice?

Most decision notices are available to download for free from the online Planning Register. Alternatively, we can supply an electronic copy for a fee. Contact us at: trees@shropshire.gov.uk

Work to trees within a conservation area, where no decision notice has been issued, should be carried out within two years from the date your notice was validated. When a decision notice has been issued, work to protected trees must be carried out within two years from the date of the decision notice.

Can I object to or appeal a decision?

An applicant has the right to appeal a refused or conditional permission by writing to The Planning Inspectorate within 28 days from the date of the decision.