Trees and Planning
Discussion
Does anyone know the rules regarding removal of fir trees ?
We own a property which is in a conservation area and has a number of largish fir trees in the garden. The property has previously suffered from subsidence and the insurers have asked that they be monitored and not allowed to grow further. My feeling is that Id rather be rid of them altogether but Ive heard various reports of how hard this is planning wise. Some people have said as its fir trees you just chop em down .. other say you need planning which isnt easy to get.
Any one had similar experience ?
We own a property which is in a conservation area and has a number of largish fir trees in the garden. The property has previously suffered from subsidence and the insurers have asked that they be monitored and not allowed to grow further. My feeling is that Id rather be rid of them altogether but Ive heard various reports of how hard this is planning wise. Some people have said as its fir trees you just chop em down .. other say you need planning which isnt easy to get.
Any one had similar experience ?
You need to make a planning application to your local council’s planning department. Information, advice and the relevant forms can be found on your local council’s web site. Check firstly whether the fir trees have any tree preservation orders on them, if not then an application for either reduction or felling of the trees is fairly straight foreward.
I have recently made a similar planning application, felling and reduction in height of 14 trees, and not only did I follow the above procedure, but I also went through similar planning applications for my local area. This allowed me to see what type of objections were made, and the applications subsequent planning refusal, against those that were giving planning approval.
Incidentally going through planning applications and Google street map, enabled me to note the number villagers/neighbours who had either felled trees, or built outbuildings, without lodging any prior planning application for the same.
My planning application is due to be decided upon in the next 7 working days, and so far there has only been one objection lodged, for the protection of birds, but my local Parish Council and the District Council’s tree officer has agreed to my application.
I have recently made a similar planning application, felling and reduction in height of 14 trees, and not only did I follow the above procedure, but I also went through similar planning applications for my local area. This allowed me to see what type of objections were made, and the applications subsequent planning refusal, against those that were giving planning approval.
Incidentally going through planning applications and Google street map, enabled me to note the number villagers/neighbours who had either felled trees, or built outbuildings, without lodging any prior planning application for the same.
My planning application is due to be decided upon in the next 7 working days, and so far there has only been one objection lodged, for the protection of birds, but my local Parish Council and the District Council’s tree officer has agreed to my application.
At my previous house, we had a Norwegian Maple tree which was subject to a preservation order in the front garden. It grew quite unruly so we eventually got a tree surgeon in to suggest what we needed to put on the application to carry out tree works. In the event, the application was approved on the nod, and there was no cost. I can imagine you could simply put in an application to fell some non-indigenous trees and it would be similarly approved.
Edited by SJobson on Friday 30th October 12:07
Simple answer is to contact the Tree Officer at your Local Authority Planning Department.
He'll come out and have a look, and will give you advice that'll be site-specific and a whole lot more reliable than anything you'll receive on a motoring forum.
It'll stand up better in court if it comes to enforcement action than 'somebody on the internet told me', too.
He'll come out and have a look, and will give you advice that'll be site-specific and a whole lot more reliable than anything you'll receive on a motoring forum.
It'll stand up better in court if it comes to enforcement action than 'somebody on the internet told me', too.
As already mentioned, a tree in a conservation area "as good as" has a TPO on it, and therefore planning permission is reguired to fell or even do any serious work.
Check your council website for info (there should be a section on conservation areas, trees and planning requirements). It's probably worth an invitation to the Tree Officer for a visit and initial discussions. He may not accept total removal, so be prepared to consider removal of only the worst, or pollarding, or perhaps replacement with something more manageable.
As it's an insurance-related job, I would suggest following SJobson's advice and getting a respected tree surgeon in ( Bartlett's aren't cheap, but good enough for Brenda). Show them the insurers correspondence, mention your preferences and the conservation area restrictions (plus any Tree Officer comments), and listen to their advice. For a cost, they will then manage the planning application, using the right words and with appropriate credibility.
Note that the tree surgeon may not recommend what you want, or may suggest it has to be done in stages to allow the water table to adjust and prevent further subsidence.
If Bartlett's aren't near enough, you could also ask the tree officer on his visit if there are any local firms he is 'aware of' (he won't recommend as such, but I'm sure he would suggest a few companies popular in the area).
Remember that you probably also need your insurer's approval for any work. Again, a report from the tree surgeon is likely to be more acceptable.
Check your council website for info (there should be a section on conservation areas, trees and planning requirements). It's probably worth an invitation to the Tree Officer for a visit and initial discussions. He may not accept total removal, so be prepared to consider removal of only the worst, or pollarding, or perhaps replacement with something more manageable.
As it's an insurance-related job, I would suggest following SJobson's advice and getting a respected tree surgeon in ( Bartlett's aren't cheap, but good enough for Brenda). Show them the insurers correspondence, mention your preferences and the conservation area restrictions (plus any Tree Officer comments), and listen to their advice. For a cost, they will then manage the planning application, using the right words and with appropriate credibility.
Note that the tree surgeon may not recommend what you want, or may suggest it has to be done in stages to allow the water table to adjust and prevent further subsidence.
If Bartlett's aren't near enough, you could also ask the tree officer on his visit if there are any local firms he is 'aware of' (he won't recommend as such, but I'm sure he would suggest a few companies popular in the area).
Remember that you probably also need your insurer's approval for any work. Again, a report from the tree surgeon is likely to be more acceptable.
HiRich said:
As already mentioned, a tree in a conservation area "as good as" has a TPO on it, and therefore planning permission is reguired to fell or even do any serious work.
Not true.A TPO is quite separate from an area being a Conservation Area.
The best bet is to talk to your LPAs Arb(oriculturalist) and see what they say. Invariably if the trees are of a non-indigenous type they will be happy to see them go, but will probably want you to replace them with something else.. Again they're more than happy to suggest trees to replace them with or come up with your own and see what they say. If you talk to them as opposed to "just do it" they will be a lot more accomodating and helpful.
Thanks for the input... seems its not as easy as Id hoped.
Looking at the local council planning site it seems that anything with a diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height needs planning approval. So pretty much anything more than a large bush ! However it does seem the application is free, which softens the blow.
Looking at the local council planning site it seems that anything with a diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height needs planning approval. So pretty much anything more than a large bush ! However it does seem the application is free, which softens the blow.
eps said:
HiRich said:
As already mentioned, a tree in a conservation area "as good as" has a TPO on it, and therefore planning permission is reguired to fell or even do any serious work.
Not true.A TPO is quite separate from an area being a Conservation Area.
The message is the same though - get permission before you do anything.
HectorOldbranch said:
Thanks for the input... seems its not as easy as Id hoped.
Looking at the local council planning site it seems that anything with a diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height needs planning approval. So pretty much anything more than a large bush ! However it does seem the application is free, which softens the blow.
It is really easy, since I myself have recently submitted a similar planning application to what you are proposing to do.Looking at the local council planning site it seems that anything with a diameter over 75mm at 1.5m height needs planning approval. So pretty much anything more than a large bush ! However it does seem the application is free, which softens the blow.
On your local council’s website, they should have a search engine for previous planning applications, so use that search to find a similar application to yours, and then more or less copy that application. In fact my local council's tree officer communicated with me via email, giving further advice on making application.
As other posters have stated, not all trees can be simply felled, they need reduction in stages, thereby avoiding structure damage to buildings etc. etc.
I was absolutely amazed on how much tree surgeons charge to fell trees, so a visit to Aldi to purchase an electric chainsaw for £49.95, with hardhat on order, once planning application is approved, this lumberjack is then already to go.
Are you quite sure the trees are causing the subsidence? removing a tree may make the problem worse! it depends on lots of other factors such as the type of soil, amount of saturation in the soil, distance from house, etc. It would be worth speaking to a specialist to make sure removal is the best bet. A Surveyor/Trees specialist should be able to help.
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