A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is an order made by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in respect of trees or woodlands. The principal effect of a TPO is to prohibit the: cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage, or wilful destruction of trees without the LPA's consent. TPO's are served on individual trees, groups of trees or woodlands when it is deemed to be expedient in the interests of amenity. They are used to protect trees and woodlands if their removal or changes to them would have a significant impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public. As the Local Planning Authority Stevenage Borough Council has powers under provisions in the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act and the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation)(England) Regulations 2012, to make Tree Preservation Orders. The Law requires that written consent must be given by the Local Planning Authority before any work to a protected tree is undertaken.
