Tree Preservation Orders

Planning legislation makes provision for local authorities to protect trees and woodlands to safeguard their removal or destruction by means of designating TPO's (Tree Preservation Orders). A TPO is promoted to ensure, as far as possible, the preservation of trees in the interests of amenity, historical or cultural importance. It is an offence to carry out work to TPO trees without the consent of the Council.

Where are the TPO's in Stirling?Stirling Council's TPO's are located in Balfron, Bannockburn, Blanefield, Bridge of Allan, Buchlyvie, Cambusbarron, Deanston, Dunblane, Killearn, Killearn Hospital, Logie, Plean, Stirling and Strathblane.

For detailed information on their location please Contact Us and your enquiry will be forwarded to the Tree Officer.

What are TPO's?TPO's are a statutory means of control used to protect selected trees and woodlands where it is considered that their removal would have a particularly unacceptable and significant impact upon the local environment and its enjoyment by the public.

A TPO may be made for individual trees, groups of trees, areas or woodlands, and makes provisions for prohibiting measures such as the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees.

If you are planning to carry out tree work to TPO protected trees check Tree Management.  The owner of TPO trees/woodlands is responsible for the maintenance/management of trees/woodlands.  A TPO does not prevent management/maintenance.

Consent may be conditional including for example, a requirement for replacement tree planting.

How are TPO's chosen?TPO's can be chosen for several reasons including:

• The preservation of trees or woodland in the interest of amenity as they contribute greatly to the character of the area.
• The safeguarding of trees or woodland against unnecessary or indiscriminate felling.
• The retention of shelter belts and preservation of the natural habitat for wildlife.
• The formation of screening to nearby development.
• Trees are of historic significance or an unusual species.

Trees or woodlands to be protected by a TPO should normally be visible from a public place, such as a road or a footpath, although exceptionally the inclusion of other areas may be justified. Frequently the inclusion of trees within a TPO may be more for their collective value e.g. their contribution to the landscape or their screening of nearby development etc., rather than for their merit as individual specimens. Other factors such as their importance as a wildlife habitat may also be taken into consideration.

If you wish an individual tree, group or area of trees or a woodland to be considered for a TPO, please Contact Us by e-mail with details, including a map/plan and photo.  The Tree Officer, will then undertake a site visit, followed by an assessment and advise you whether or not Stirling Council will promote a TPO.

How does a TPO affect the owner/occupier?

Permission is required for the cutting down, topping, lopping or uprooting of trees. It is an offence for any person to undertake any of the above measures without the consent of the Council. Any such action may result, on conviction, in a fine being imposed. Similar controls exist in relation to trees within Conservation Areas.

The Council welcomes consultations from property owners who may have proposals regarding trees within their control and recognises that in order to safeguard the longer-term viability of trees and woodland areas, properly assessed tree management measures may from time to time be appropriate.  Prior to carrying out any work you must provide written notice by completing a Tree Works Application Form no less than 8 weeks before you plan to start tree works.

Viewing new Tree Preservation Orders online

As a result of restrictions imposed due to the Covid -19 pandemic, we are prevented from advertising in the usual way and we are now advertising new Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) made by the council online.  These would usually be advertised in print, at our offices and at local libraries/council offices.

When we make a TPO it takes effect immediately and lasts for 6 months. A notice and a copy of the order are then made available for viewing and making representations.

Before the 6 months expiry of the order any representations must considered along with the order and a decision made on whether to confirm the order.

New orders can be viewed below along with a notice advising

• The reasons for making the order
• How representations can be made
• The date by which representations must be made.

Last updated: Monday, March 15, 2021 3:50 PM