Trees

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are legally enforced by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to protect trees and woodlands in the interests of public amenity. The principal effect of a TPO is to prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage to, or wilful destruction of, protected trees or woodlands, unless permission has been given by the LPA.

Checking for a TPO

You can check to see if a tree is protected by a TPO before making an application.

To find out if there is a TPO affecting land in:

• Barrow area, email: consultplanning@barrowbc.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can check our mapping service for TPO locations. The areas shown are only indicative.

• Eden area, email: trees2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

• South Lakeland area, email: development.management@southlakeland.gov.uk

If you are purchasing land or property, make sure you search the local land charges register which should reveal the existence of a TPO. Make sure your solicitor tells you if any trees are protected.

How to apply for permission

Before completing an application please refer to the Planning Portal tree work guidance.

You can submit a tree works application through the Planning Portal.

Or, apply on paper:

• Barrow area: Permission to work on protected trees application form (PDF, 414KB)
   
• Eden area: Permission to work on protected trees application form (PDF, 412KB)
   
• South Lakeland area: Permission to work on protected trees application form (PDF, 412KB)

Please make sure you send us all the relevant information with your application.

We strongly recommend that you get advice from a tree surgeon who can provide you with a professional specification of the works needed. Arboricultural Association: list of approved contractors for tree works

Applications take up to eight weeks to be processed.