Trees and woodlands form an important part of both the urban and rural landscape in West Dunbartonshire. They contribute to the general appearance and amenity of the area and their removal can therefore have a significant impact.
The Town and County Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 gives planning authorities the power to make a tree preservation order (TPO) in respect of trees or woodlands if it is considered to be in the interest of amenity. A TPO prohibits the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or destruction of trees without the Council’s consent.
There are 48 separate TPOs in place across West Dunbartonshire, covering over 365 hectares of woodland and individual trees or groups of trees. The first TPO was confirmed in West Dunbartonshire in the 1950s by Dunbartonshire County Council. The Tree Preservation Order Register lists details and includes a map of all the TPOs within West Dunbartonshire. The Tree Preservation Order Register can be viewed here.
If you wish to carry out any works to a tree or trees covered by a TPO, or within a Conservation Area, you must first obtain written permission from the Council. Applications for permission to carry out tree works can be made using the following form:
Application for Tree Works Form
Application for Tree Works Guidance Note
