Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963

Tree preservation orders.

45.—(1) If it appears to the planning authority that it is expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for the preservation of any tree, trees, group of trees or woodlands, they may for that purpose make an order with respect to any such tree, trees, group of trees or woodlands as may be specified in the order; and, in particular, provision may be made by any such order—

(a) for prohibiting (subject to any exemptions for which provision may be made by the order) the cutting down, topping, lopping or wilful destruction of trees except with the consent of the planning authority, and for enabling that authority to give their consent subject to conditions;

(b) for applying, in relation to any consent under the order, and to applications therefor, any of the provisions of Part IV of this Act relating to permission to develop land, and to applications for such permission, subject to such adaptations and modifications as may be specified in the order.

(2) Any person who has suffered damage in consequence of any refusal of consent required under an order under this section, or of any grant of any such consent subject to conditions, shall, if he makes a claim on the planning authority within the time and in the manner specified by the order, be entitled to recover from such authority compensation in respect of the damage, but—

(a) where the order declares that, as respects any tree, trees or group of trees not comprised in woodlands, the tree, trees or group is or are of special amenity value or special interest no compensation shall be payable in relation to the tree, trees or group,

(b) where the order declares that, as respects any trees comprised in woodlands, a condition comprising a requirement to replant is an essential condition for attachment in the interests of amenity to any consent given under the order no compensation shall be payable in relation to such a condition attached to any such consent.

(3) Any order under this section may be revoked or varied by a subsequent order under this section.

(4) Where a planning authority make an order under this section, they shall serve a notice of the making of the order and a copy of the order on every person who is the owner or occupier of any land affected by the order, and on any other person then known to them to be entitled to fell any tree, trees, group of trees or woodlands to which the order relates.

(5) Any person on whom a notice and a copy of an order is served under this section may, at any time before the day specified in that behalf in the notice (not being earlier than one month after such service), appeal to the Minister against the order.

(6) Where an appeal is brought under this section against an order, the Minister may confirm the order with or without modifications or annul the order.

(7) Without prejudice to any other exemption for which provision may be made by an order under this section, no such order shall apply to the cutting down, topping or lopping of trees which are dying or dead or have become dangerous or the cutting down, topping or lopping of any trees in compliance with any obligation imposed by or under any statute or so far as may be necessary for the prevention or abatement of a nuisance.

(8) If any person contravenes the provisions of an order under this section (other than an order which has been annulled), he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred pounds.

(9) Particulars of an order under this section shall be entered in the register.

(10) Any reference in this Act to a tree preservation order shall be construed as a reference to an order under this section (other than an order which has been annulled).