Trees in conservation areas
There are 45 conservation areas in Bromley, which have been designated because of their special character and appearance.
The law requires that anyone planning to cut down or carry out work to a tree in a conservation area must legally give us six weeks notice of their intention to do so. The purpose of this notice is to give us the opportunity to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made.
You can check whether a tree is in a conservation area on our interactive map.
Giving notice of work
You will need to provide the following information when giving notice to carry out work
- Numbers and species of trees
- Nature and extent of pruning works – these must be expressed in accordance with the current industry standard BS3998:2010
- Location of tree – sketch plan showing the location of the tree/s in relation to the property and road
Please also provide photos as this can speed up the decision process.
Exceptions
You do not need to notify us if you want to cut down or work on a tree that is less than 7.5cm in diameter (measured 1.5m above ground) or 10cm if you are thinning to help the growth of other trees.
When the tree is dead you do not need to give us 6 weeks prior notice.However you are required to submit a written notification to us at least 5 working days prior to any works being undertaken, providing sufficient information for us to identify and locate the tree. Please submit photographs to trees@bromley.gov.uk.
You do not need to notify us about the removal of dead branches from a living tree.
You do not need to notify us about the minimum works necessary to provide clearance over a public highway: 2.4metres over footpaths, 5.2m over roads.
You do not need to notify us if you intend to prune a tree cultivated for the production of fruit in accordance with good horticultural practice.
You do not need to give us 6 weeks prior notice if works are urgently necessary to remove an immediate risk of serious harm. In this case you are required to submit a written notification to us as soon as practicable after the works become necessary.
If a tree could reasonably be temporarily cordoned off such that it or the subject tree part would not cause serious harm in the event of failure, then the works are unlikely to be considered to meet the terms of this exception. If less extensive works are sufficient to remove the urgency and to reduce risk to an acceptable level in the short term, then more extensive works are unlikely to be considered to meet the terms of this exception unless otherwise agreed to by the local planning authority.
If works are undertaken without prior approval from the local planning authority, those carrying out, instructing and permitting the works do so at their own risk. In the event that the local planning authority are unsure that any works undertaken meet the terms of an exception they have authority to investigate. If evidence indicated that the works did not meet the terms of an exception and the local planning authority considered there had been a breach of Conservation Area regulations they reserve the right to prosecute those who carried out, instructed and permitted the works. Therefore, you are advised to check with the tree team (trees@bromley.gov.uk) before carrying out exempt works.
Whenever works believed to be exempt are undertaken you are advised to gather and retain evidence before and after the works are undertaken, e.g. photos and an expert’s findings where appropriate.
Prosecutions can result in fines from a Magistrates Court of up to £20,000 per offence and unlimited fines in Crown Court. If a tree is removed without consent a replacement must be planted unless the Council dispense with the requirement. If no planting is carried out, the council can enforce it.