Trees are valuable to the street scene.
For more information on tree preservation orders and tree conservation, see the government’s planning practice guidance site.
Tree works and tree preservation orders
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
You need permission from Portsmouth City Council before undertaking any work on a tree that is either subject to a Tree Preservation Order, or in a conservation area.
You can apply online using the planning portal.
Printable forms are also available using the planning portal’s paper form chooser.
If you have any questions, please email planningapps@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
The register of TPO applications and decisions made this year is available to download below.
Applying for works to trees protected by a TPO
You can apply online to undertake works on a tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order.
When applying you will need to provide:
- a sketch plan showing the location of all tree(s) – an Ordnance Survey base plan is acceptable, if you have the necessary copyright licence
- a full and clear specification of the works to be carried out
- a statement of reasons for the proposed work with evidence to support the statement, such as a report by one of the following:
- a tree professional (e.g. arboriculturist or horticultural adviser) if your reasons relate to the health and/or safety of the tree(s)
- an engineer or surveyor, together with one from a tree professional (arboriculturist) if you are alleging subsidence damage.
- a report by an appropriate expert if you are alleging damage other than subsidence to property or structures caused by the tree(s).
You may also wish to provide:
- photographs and photomontages showing the trees in their context, and in views from the road and other vantage points
- local requirements for applications to works to TPO trees – conditional documents
- existing and proposed site sections and finished floor and site levels (such as at a scale of 1:50 or 1:100).
Where a proposal involves a change in ground levels or is on a sloping site, all plans should clearly and consistently show existing and proposed works, and should have a scale bar, key dimensions (distance of the development from the boundaries of the site and size of the building) original paper size and a north point.
Works to trees in conservation areas (not subject to a TPO)
You can apply online to undertake works on a tree in a conservation area.
When applying you will need to provide:
- a sketch plan showing the precise location of all tree(s)
- a full and clear specification of the works to be carried out
- photographs and photomontages showing the trees within their context and in views from the road and other vantage points
- a report by an engineer or surveyor, together with one from a tree professional (arboriculturist) if you are alleging damage (including subsidence) to property/structures caused by the tree(s).