Conservation areas are usually found in the most historic parts of our towns and villages. The buildings and structures there are usually of an historic nature and trees have a very important place within these special areas.
In conservation areas you’ll often find very old trees, some as old as or even older than the buildings. But it's not just the old trees that make a significant contribution.
Younger trees are trees of the future, and are sometimes protected to create green havens and ensure an area remains green in years to come, long after the veteran trees have gone.
The way the trees are protected in a conservation area is different to that of tree preservation orders. A conservation area is a clearly defined area within a settlement that usually encompasses many properties. Any tree within this defined boundary becomes subject to the protection of the conservation area.
S211 notices
You will need to submit a S211 notice for most works.
For more information go to works to trees – Planning Portal.
S211 notice exemptions
You do not need to submit a S211 notice to us for:
- the cutting down, topping, lopping or uprooting of a tree where its diameter does not exceed 75 millimetres
- the cutting down or uprooting of a tree, where its diameter does not exceed 100 millimetres, for the sole purpose of improving the growth of other trees, for example thinning as part of forestry operations
In either case, the diameter of the tree is to be measured over the bark of the tree at 1.5 metres above natural ground level.
These exemptions do not apply in circumstances where a tree has more than one stem at a point of 1.5 metres above the ground level if any stem, when measured over its bark at that point, exceeds the relevant minimum.
For more information go to Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas – GOV.UK.
Fruit trees
An S211 notice is not required for carrying out work to a fruit tree cultivated for the production in the course of a business or trade, if the work is in the interests of that business or trade.
Find an expert to do the work
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