Tree and TPO planning checklist
A checklist for works near protected trees, TPOs, conservation areas and planning applications.
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Use This Before The Project Becomes Expensive
This resource is designed for early planning decisions. It helps you name the issue, record the obvious checks and avoid paying for drawings, applications or contractor commitments before the planning route is clear enough.
Good use
Print it, mark it up, save the source links and use it as a short agenda for a council, designer, consultant or builder conversation.
Not a decision
It is not a formal certificate, approval, legal opinion or replacement for checking the exact property, council and design.
Best next step
Use the site constraint checker when the checklist shows the route is still unclear or locally sensitive.
Work Through These First
- Check whether any tree is covered by a TPO or conservation area notification requirement.
- Mark tree locations, root protection areas and proposed works on a plan.
- Check whether building, digging, surfacing or pruning could affect protected trees.
- Ask whether an arboricultural report is needed before applying.
Tree and TPO planning checklist
Tick these off on paper or copy the text into your project notes. Keep any official links, screenshots and dates with the project record.
Tree checks
- Identify species if known, trunk location, canopy spread and proximity to work.
- Check council TPO maps or contact routes.
- Check whether the site is in a conservation area even if no TPO is visible.
Project impact checks
- Mark foundations, trenches, new surfacing and access routes near roots.
- Record pruning, felling or construction access that may need consent or notice.
- Keep photos and source links for the planning file.
Things Worth Avoiding
- Checking only the building footprint and not the root zone.
- Assuming a tree without a visible tag is unprotected.
- Forgetting conservation area tree notice requirements.
- Leaving arboricultural evidence until after objections arrive.
Questions To Put To The Council Or A Professional
- Is the tree protected by a TPO or conservation area controls?
- Could the works affect roots, canopy or long-term tree health?
- Does the planning application need an arboricultural method statement?
Official Sources Worth Opening Next
Use these as starting points and then check the relevant council page for the property. Rules, validation requirements and local controls can change by authority and site.
Clean Citation Text
Use this when sharing the resource with a neighbour, designer, builder or adviser.
General Guidance Only
This checklist does not authorise work to trees. Check local council requirements before pruning, felling or building near protected trees.
Before relying on a borderline route, confirm the latest position with official sources, the local planning authority or a suitable professional.