The tree is protected and on public land
- Start a local campaign - read our guide on starting a campaign here!
- Check for planning permission, either here or on your council’s planning portal (Google your local authority's name + planning portal).
- If planning permission has been granted – Take legal advice. A legal expert is your best bet if planning permission has been granted. Check planning portal for documents which might indicate possible areas where the permission could be challenged. Also, contact your local press and MP - the easiest way to do this is using Write To Them.
- If there is a pending planning application, check out our guide to objecting to a planning application.
- If there is no planning permission but work is planned, find out if a section 211 application been made? This is an application for permission to work on or fell a protected tree. Check your local authority’s planning portal. If a section application 211 was granted, but over 2 years ago, it could be invalid, contact planning department or Tree Officer to find out more and take legal advice.
- If it is nesting season (Feb to August inclusive) and you think there are signs of nesting birds in a tree or trees about to be felled, ask the landowner/contractors for the ecologists’ report and their licence which is required to do any work if an active nest is present. If they have no licence or are not co-operating and felling is imminent, call the Police and ask for Wildlife Officer.
Do you believe it to be a habitat for bats? If yes and felling is imminent, call the Police and ask for Wildlife Officer - call 999 or 101.
- Is the tree or trees over 5 cubic metres of wood? If it is it will require a felling licence check Forestry Commission website for list of permissions. If no licence, contact Forestry Commission. The Forestry Commission will be able to enforce a breach if the trees have already been felled, but you have evidence that work should have had a felling licence.