Entries tagged with “trees TPO” from Palmerston Residents Association

The r esidents association have secured TPOs on the old trees on the steep bank which marks the boundary between Palmerston Road and Denorton Park. The residents association is also working to secure orders on a number of other trees within the area.

What are TPOs?

In Northern Ireland tree preservation orders (TPOs) are made by the Department of the Environment's Planning Service and are designed to:

• protect trees which add to the character and appearance of an area
• keep and protect the structure and variety of woodland, especially where they offer protection to natural wildlife habitats
• make sure that new developments take into account the landscape setting.

A TPO prohibits the cutting down, lopping, topping or wilful destruction of trees without first obtaining permission from the Department of the Environment, unless the tree is dead, dying or has become dangerous. If someone deliberately destroys any tree which is protected by a TPO, or prunes a protected tree in a way which is likely to destroy it, they are guilty of an offence and could be fined up to £30,000. Under the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 the Planning Service can compel the replacement of trees or even replace the tree themselves and charge the offender.