Tree Preservation Orders

What is it?

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is made by the Local Authority, under Section 160 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, and within the procedures set out in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

The TPOs are made to protect individual trees, groups of trees or woodlands which have particular amenity value, make a significant contribution to the landscape or townscape or because there may be a potential threat to the trees.

Deciding which trees qualify to become protected the local authority must ensure that the trees contribute to the amenity and attractiveness of an area and be under threat in some way.

Served Tree Preservation Order

When a TPO is made it is served by letter with a copy of the document to all owners as well as a copy being sent to Forestry Scotland and to the Keeper at Registers of Scotland. An advert is placed in the relevant press at the same time.

A copy of the document is normally available to be viewed in Development and Regeneration Services Reception at 231 George Street, Glasgow, however, due to Covid-19 restrictions an electronic version can be viewed here.

Appealing a Tree Preservation Order

When a TPO is served the Owners have a right to appeal this order within 28 days of its serving.

TPO objections should be made in writing to the Executive Director of Development and Regeneration Services, 231 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RX. 

Please check the notices for the relevant TPO Notice.

This appeal will be considered before confirming any Tree Preservation Orders.

Confirmed Tree Preservation Order

The Council must confirm a Tree Preservation Order within six months of the original date it was served on.

A letter and a copy of the document is sent to all owners and to Forestry Scotland. The document is also sent to Legal Services in the Chief Executives Department asking that the Tree Preservation Order is registered with the Keeper at the Registers of Scotland.

A copy of the document is normally available to be viewed at our Reception Desk at 231 George Street, Glasgow, however, due to Covid-19 restrictions an electronic version can be viewed here.