Planning decisions involving trees can have lasting consequences for both development and neighbouring properties.
Whether you’re submitting a planning application, objecting to a proposal or challenging a planning decision, specialist legal advice can help protect your interests.
Understanding planning issues
Trees often play a significant role in the planning process. Planning applications that affect existing trees may require arboricultural surveys, impact assessments or method statements to demonstrate how important trees will be protected during development.
Planning disputes can arise where a proposed development threatens neighbouring trees, affects residential amenity or fails to properly consider the impact on protected trees or the surrounding landscape. Equally, applicants may disagree with conditions imposed by the Local Planning Authority or believe an application has been determined incorrectly.
In some cases, planning decisions can be challenged through the Planning Inspectorate or, where there are grounds to do so, by Judicial Review. These challenges are subject to strict procedures and, in the case of Judicial Review, very short time limits, making early legal advice essential.
Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, commercial landowner or local resident, understanding your legal position at an early stage can help avoid unnecessary delays and improve the prospects of a successful outcome.
How Tree Law can help
We provide specialist advice where planning decisions involve trees or have the potential to affect neighbouring land and property.
We regularly advise on:
- Planning applications affecting trees
- Objections to planning applications
- Arboricultural issues within planning applications
- Appeals to the Planning Inspectorate
- Complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman
- Judicial Review of planning decisions
- Planning conditions relating to trees
- Protected trees and development proposals
- Advice for homeowners, developers and local authorities
- Negotiating planning-related tree disputes
What our clients say
Why choose Tree Law?
Fees
We can advise on planning applications affecting trees, objections to neighbouring developments and challenges to decisions made by Local Planning Authorities.
Hourly Rate
from £200 + VAT
Fixed fees can be agreed on request
Get in touch for an initial discussion about your situation so that we can agree the best way forward and an appropriate fee structure.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Yes. If a proposed development is likely to affect trees that contribute to the character of an area or impact your property, you may be able to submit an objection. The strength of that objection will depend on the planning policies and evidence supporting your concerns.
A Judicial Review is a legal challenge to the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body, such as a Local Planning Authority. It does not reconsider the planning merits of the application, but examines whether the correct legal process was followed.
Yes. Judicial Review claims relating to planning decisions are subject to very strict time limits, typically six weeks from the date the decision is made. Seeking legal advice as early as possible is essential.
Not necessarily. Planning permission and Tree Preservation Orders are separate legal controls. Depending on the circumstances, further consent may still be required before works to protected trees can be carried out.
Yes. Early advice can often identify potential issues before an application is made, helping applicants, neighbours and landowners understand the legal implications and reduce the likelihood of disputes later in the process.