Tree preservation orders

Tandridge District has about 600 tree preservation orders throughout the area and they vary enormously in size and form. One tree preservation order can protect hundreds of trees (as with Warlingham Park Hospital - now developed for housing) or it may be as important on another site to protect just one valuable tree. During the past few years the Council has made an average of 25 new tree preservation orders every year.

Making an application for tree works
If you would like to apply for works to protected trees it is now a requirement that you use the national standard form. The form is available via our Planning application forms (This link will open in a new window) web page (form number 31). Please take time to read the TPO Applications Guidance Notes (This link will open in a new window) before completing your application.

Alternatively an electronic application can be made through the Planning Portal - Make an Application page (This link will open in a new window).

Once a valid application has been received, adjoining owners will be consulted for their views which will be taken into account. If the application involves the felling of a protected tree the matter may be decided at Committee, other works may be decided by Officers, although particularly controversial applications may also be referred to Committee.

The Council will then write to tell you whether permission has been granted or refused.

It is the aim of this Council to decide all applications within an 8 week time period, unless an extension of time is agreed with the applicant.

Carrying out the work

You should ensure that you employ a reputable contractor who has adequate insurance. You can find a professional contractor from the Arboricultural Association (This link will open in a new window).

Finding out if a tree is protected

You can check to see if a property or a particular tree has a Tree Preservation Order (or within a Conservation Area) by looking at the Local View (This link will open in a new window) map system.

Buying a copy of a tree preservation order
You can buy a copy of a Tree Preservation Order from the Council. The copy will include the legal document and a plan indicating which trees are the subject of the order. Please write to Customer Services at the address below with details of the Order and payment of £16.00. Alternatively copies can be downloaded for free via the Local View (This link will open in a new window) map system: (Address search/In the area tab/scroll down to find TPOs/select relevant TPO)

More information

The Department for Communities and Local Government has published a leaflet regarding Tree Preservation Orders and this can be found on the Department of Communities and Local Government Tree Preservation (This link will open in a new window) web page. Copies can also be obtained from the tree section, 01883 732869. A leaflet on appeals against refusals to permit work to protected trees is available on the DCLG web page. You can also look at Trees - your questions answered for answers to common questions.

For further information please contact Trees on 01883 732869 or e-mail trees@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

Maps and directions to our offices (This link will open in a new window).

Or get directions by public transport and car with Transport Direct (This link will open in a new window): 

If you have any comments about our services, please fill in our Contact us form.

Please complete our web survey (This link will open in a new window) to let us know what you think of our website.

Return to top