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The City of Westminster lies at the heart of the nation’s capital and its trees, whether in parks, open spaces, in private gardens or on the streets, make a significant contribution to London’s reputation as one of the worlds greenest cities.
Many trees on privately owned land are protected either by Tree Preservation Orders or because the property is situated in a Conservation Area. It is a criminal offence to carry out tree surgery or to remove trees protected in these ways without following the procedures outlined below. Some trees on development sites are also protected by specific conditions on planning permissions to ensure their protection during development.
Check if your property and trees are within a Conservation Area here
Contact the Tree Section to check if your trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order.
You can Search Planning Applications online to check if Trees on a development site are protected by planning conditions, and view details of existing decisions.
The City Council will send a written decision on the proposed tree work to the applicant. You must not carry out any work before you receive the decision letter. We may refuse consent, or grant consent, often subject to conditions. If consent is granted, the work must be carried out in accordance with the conditions of consent.
To make a formal application, you can download an application form or write to us at the above address.
With Conservation Areas, all trees with a trunk diameter of 75mm (3 inches) or more, measured at a height of 1.5metres from ground level are protected. If you are in any doubt, please contact the Tree Section for advice.
On receipt of your written notification, the City Council will endeavour to make a decision within 6 weeks of the registration date. Delays may occur when notifications are unclear or lack sufficient information. Prior to a decision being made, a Tree Officer will inspect the tree(s) and may seek further information from you. If you have applied to fell a tree the City Council will usually seek the views of neighbours on the proposal. Trees in conservation areas, which are also subject to a Tree Preservation Order, are administered under the TPO legislation.
The City Council will send a written decision on the proposed tree work to the applicant. We will either raise no objections, or if the proposed work is considered unsuitable we will make the tree(s) the subject of a Tree Preservation Order. There is a right of objection to the TPO.
If the City Council raises no objections to the proposed tree works, you will be notified in writing. The works must be carried out within two years from the date of the decision letter.
To make a formal notification, you can download an application form or write to us at
For the legislation to apply the hedge must comprise 2 or more trees/shrubs, be more than 2m tall, be mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen and be capable of obstructing light or views.
If it is decided that a hedge adversely affects the reasonable enjoyment of the neighbour’s home and garden, the Council can issue a remedial notice to the owner of the hedge setting out what must be done to reduce the height of the hedge, the timescale for doing the work and what is required to prevent the problem happening again.
The leaflet High Hedges: Complaining to the council provides further information.
2008 Westminster City Council. Contact the Council
