Application

Make an application/notification for work to protected trees

Thank you for choosing Lichfield District Council's EzyPortal to create and submit your application. This applicant portal provides a quick and user-friendly way of creating and submitting applications/notifications for work to trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area, within the Lichfield District Council area.

It ensures that you're only offered the questions relevant to you, supports the simple creation of sketch plans and uploading of existing documents, and there's no requirement to create an account. Explanatory notes are offered throughout the process to help with completion of the form (look out for the info

), but if you would also like to view/download the guidance notes separately, they can be found here: Guidance notes - works to trees

After submitting your application, you'll immediately be presented with your application reference and will also be emailed a copy of your completed application form and sketch plan(s) for your own records.

Please note that by submitting this application electronically the LPA will take it that you have agreed that they may communicate with you in the same manner. tooltip

Tailor your application form

Who are you? (this will determine which questions you need to fill in)

The Applicant tooltip

The Agent

Is the applicant the owner of the tree? (If No, you will be asked to provide owner details in question 4)

Yes

No

Please validate your phone number to proceed (this will not appear on the application or be used for any other purpose)

Mobile *:

Please fill out this field.

Send SMS

Verification Code *:

Please fill out this field.

This application must be submitted with 2 hours of validating your phone number

1. Applicant name and address

Title *:

Please fill out this field.

First Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Last Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Company (Optional) *:

Please fill out this field.

Search Address:

Or..

Telephone numbers

Landline *:

Please fill out this field.

Ext *:

Please fill out this field.

Mobile *:

Please fill out this field.

Fax *:

Please fill out this field.

Email Address *:

Please fill out this field.

Do all trees stand at the applicants address? (If no, you will be asked to provide details of their location in question 3)

Yes

No

2. Agent name and address

Title *:

Please fill out this field.

First Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Last Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Company (Optional) *:

Please fill out this field.

Search Address:

Or..

Telephone numbers

Landline *:

Please fill out this field.

Ext *:

Please fill out this field.

Mobile *:

Please fill out this field.

Fax *:

Please fill out this field.

Email Address *:

Please fill out this field.

3. Trees location

Search Address:

If the location is unclear or there is not a suitable address available via the above search, choose a nearby address if possible and/or describe the location in the box below as clearly as possible (for example, 'Land to the rear of 12 to 18 High Street' or 'Woodland adjoining Elm Road') or provide an Ordnance Survey grid reference:

Description:

Valid.

Please fill out this field.

Is the above address also the contact address for the owner of the tree(s)? (If no, you will be asked to provide details of the owners address in question 4)

Yes

No

4. Tree ownership

Please provide the name and address (if not previously specified) of the owner of the tree(s)

Title *:

Please fill out this field.

First Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Last Name *:

Please fill out this field.

Company (Optional) *:

Please fill out this field.

Search Address:

Or..

Telephone numbers

Landline *:

Please fill out this field.

Ext *:

Please fill out this field.

Mobile *:

Please fill out this field.

Fax *:

Please fill out this field.

Email Address *:

Please fill out this field.

5. What are you applying for?

Are you seeking consent for works to tree(s) subject to a TPO? tooltip

Yes

No

Are you wishing to carry out works to tree(s) in a conservation area? tooltip

Yes

No

6. Tree preservation order/conservation area details

If you know which TPO protects the tree(s), enter its title or number below. tooltip

Conservation Area:

Please fill out this field

7. Identification of tree(s) and description of works

Identifying the tree(s)
Please give the species of tree if known (e.g. oak, Scots pine); Latin names are not required. Where known, use the numbering of trees from the First Schedule of the TPO (e.g. T1 ash, or two cherry and one birch in G2). Make sure other trees are identified by using a different sequence e.g. A, B, C etc. Make sure the numbering matches that used on the sketch plan (see notes for question 8).

Poor tree surgery
Proposals that would endanger the health or condition of a tree or greatly reduce its amenity value to the local environment are unlikely to be allowed unless there are strong reasons to do so.

Describing the works and reasons
Please make clear to which trees the descriptions of works and reasons apply. Reasons must be given for work to trees protected by a TPO. For trees in conservation areas, giving reasons for work would be helpful, but is not mandatory.

It is vital that you clearly specify the works you want to carry out for each tree included in your application. A proposal simply to “cut back”, “lop” or “trim” some branches is too vague because it fails to indicate the extent of the works.

Common tree work operations

Please identify the tree(s) and provide a full and clear specification of the works you want to carry out, in the table below. Where trees are being felled, in the box at the bottom of this page please also give your proposals for planting replacement trees (including quantity, species, position and size) or reasons for not wanting to replant.

You might find it useful to contact an arborist (tree surgeon) for help with defining appropriate work. Where trees are protected by a TPO, please number them as shown in the First Schedule to the TPO where this is available.

Note that you may upload any existing document(s) that clearly specify the work being applied for, either in addition to, or instead of entering the information below. The document upload section of this form is at question 8.3.

Number	Species	Proposed Work	Reason

+ Add Tree

Proposals for planting replacement trees tooltip

8.1 Trees - additional information

For all trees

It would be helpful if you provided details of any advice given on site by an LPA officer.

For works to trees covered by a TPO

Please indicate whether the reasons for carrying out the proposed works include any of the following. If so, your application must be accompanied by the necessary evidence to support your proposals. (See guidance notes for further details)

1. Condition of the tree(s) e.g. it is diseased or you have fears that it might break or fall:

Yes

No

If YES, you are required to provide written arboricultural advice or other diagnostic information from an appropriate expert. tooltip

2. Alleged damage to property - e.g. subsidence or damage to drains or drives.

Yes

No

If YES, you are required to provide for:

Subsidence

A report by an engineer or surveyor, to include a description of damage, vegetation, monitoring data, soil, roots and repair proposals. Also a report from an arboriculturist to support the tree work proposals. tooltip

Other structural damage (e.g. drains, walls and hard surfaces)

Written technical evidence from an appropriate expert, including description of damage and possible solutions. tooltip

8.2 Sketch plans(s)

A sketch plan clearly showing the position of trees listed in Question 7 must be provided when applying for works to trees covered by a TPO. A sketch plan is also advised when notifying the LPA of works to trees in a conservation area. Please use the tool below to create one or more sketch plans.

You can zoom in/out of the map and also drag it to centre on the relevant area. Once you're happy with the map area, click "Add Markup" to then annotate the map with shapes, lines and text, to show where each affected tree is located. Use the same numbers as on your specification of work (Question 7). The map will also show existing TPO trees/groups/woodland/areas in the background in grey, to assist you. Conservation Areas are also shown in brown.

Note that you may upload any existing plans that clearly identify the position of the affected trees, either in addition to, or instead of creating sketch plans using this tool. The document upload section of this form is at question 8.3.

Sketch Plan

+ Add Sketch

8.3 Upload Supporting Documents

Uploading supporting documents

Supported file types:

- Adobe PDF: .pdf

- Microsoft Office: .doc .docx .odt

- Images: .jpg .jpeg .bmp .png .gif .tif

- Text: .txt .rtf

If you wish to upload files of a type that is not supported, please first convert them to one of the types listed above.

Supported file name characters:

- Upper and lower case letters (A to Z)

- Numbers 0 to 9

Other characters (dash/hyphen, space, brackets, underscore, full stop (separating filename from file type only)

Supported file size:

10MB maximum individual file size. Files larger than this should first be reduced in size by either reducing their quality or converting them to another format. There are many methods by which this can be done, but one simple method is to use a freeware program such as Cute PDF Writer to 'print' your document to PDF. This allows the quality of the finished document to be reduced (and file size reduced), without any noticeable difference to the document itself.

Personal information submitted as part of applications

Personal information entered into the form (telephone numbers and email address entered into the relevant boxes) will be automatically redacted prior to publication on the LPA's website, but all other information on the form and in any supporting documents will be published in full. It is therefore important that prior to submitting your application and uploading supporting documents, you ensure no personal email addresses, phone numbers or signatures are present (other than in the designated boxes on the application form).

Please use the area below to upload any supporting documents that you need to attach to your application/notification, such as arboricultural/structural reports and evidence etc. See Question 8.1 for what supporting information may be required.

If you haven't already provided a clear specification of the proposed work (Question 7) or sketch plan(s) (Question 8.2), this is also where documents containing the information may be uploaded.

File Name	Description	Type
+ Attach File

9. Authority employee / member

It is an important principle of decision-making that the process is open and transparent. For the purposes of this question, "relating to" means related, by birth or otherwise, closely enough that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts, would conclude that there was bias on the part of the decision-maker in the local planning authority. tooltip

Do any of these statements apply to you and/or agent?

Yes

No

With respect to the Authority, I am:

(a) member of staff

(b) an elected member

(c) related to a member of staff

(d) related to an elected member

If Yes, please provide details of the name, relationship and role

10. Application for tree works - checklist

Please use the guidance and this checklist to make sure that this form has been completed correctly and that all relevant information is submitted. Please note that failure to supply precise and detailed information may result in your application being rejected or delayed. You do not need to fill out this section, but it may help you to submit a valid form.

Sketch Plan

A sketch plan showing the location of all trees (see Question 8.2)

For all trees

(see Question 7)

Clear identification of the trees concerned
A full and clear specification of the works to be carried out

For works to trees protected by a TPO

(see Question 7)

Have you:

Stated reasons for the proposed works?
Provided evidence in support of the stated reasons? in particular:
If your reasons relate to the condition of the tree(s) - written evidence from an appropriate expert
If you are alleging subsidence damage - a report by an appropriate engineer or surveyor and one from an arboriculturist.
In respect of other structural damage - written technical evidence
Included all other information listed in Question 8.1?

11. Declaration - trees

I/we hereby apply for planning permission/consent as described in this form and the accompanying plans/drawings and additional information. I/we confirm that, to the best of my/our knowledge, any facts stated are true and accurate and any opinions given are the genuine opinions of the person(s) giving them.

Signed *: (type your name in the box below to agree to the above declaration)

Please fill out this field.

19/04/2024

Define your plan area

Make an application/notification for work to protected trees

Tailor your application form

5. What are you applying for?

6. Tree preservation order/conservation area details

9. Authority employee / member