The Council has a duty to protect trees that contribute to the amenity of the District.
There are three distinct powers available to the Council to protect trees including:-
- Tree Preservation Orders
- Conservation Area Controls
- Planning Conditions
Full details are in the South Hams Leaflet Protected Trees and their Management
or the government leaflet “Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures” which is available from Department for Communities and Local Government website within the Urban Policy (cleaner, safer, greener communities) section.
The Forestry Commission also control felling in the countryside through “Felling License” controls. Basic details are in the leaflet Protected Trees and their Management or from the Forestry Commission website.
Within Dartmoor National Park, tree protection is the responsibility of Dartmoor National Park Authority.
If you want to check whether a tree outside the Dartmoor National Park is protected please contact the Council’s Tree Office on: 01803 861234.
If you want to apply to work on a protected tree outside Dartmoor National Park, the following forms are available to download:
If you would like to purchase a copy of a Tree Preservation Order there will be a charge of £3.50 for the first 6 sheets then 20p per sheet thereafter, plans are charged according to the size of the plan. For further information please visit the land charges website or contact 01803 861234.
For information on:
Trees and Hedges Protected by a Planning Condition please contact the Tree Officer on: 01803 861234 or Email: tree.office@southhams.gov.uk. You will need to write a letter to the Council stating what the tree(s) is, where it is, what works you want to do to the tree & why - further information is in the Protected Trees and their Management leaflet.
