09 February 2012The Arboricultural & Landscape Officer's duties include the serving of new Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) in order to ensure the retention of the District's significant trees. Advice is also provided to the Planning Officers on planning applications that may affect trees and the general landscape. Processing tree pruning applications for TPO trees as well as works to trees within Conservation Areas are also high on the list of priorities.
Sevenoaks District has many trees comprising of a range of diverse species. The Council does its best to manage this rich biological inheritance for the people of the District today and also for future generations.
There are many environmental pressures on trees. These range from pollution, drought, flooding and disease to new development - such as new roads and buildings - which are the biggest threat to the District's trees.
To help the Council balance the management of trees, it welcomes the help of local residents. This could include suggestions to protect certain important trees that they feel may be under threat or telling the Council about work to a protected tree that may be carried out without consent.
If a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order before any work can be carried out, such as tree surgery, you will need to make an application in writing or online via the Planning Portal website.
The Arboricultural & Landscape Officer will usually make a site visit to decide whether the proposed work is necessary.
The Tree Preservation Guide(
PDF File 3494KB file details) provides further information about Tree Preservation Orders, trees in Conservation Areas and the work of the Council.
To find out if a particular tree is protected or if you have any further enquiries or comments please contact the Planning Team.
