You may be thinking of ways you can spruce up your house, whether that be planting a new tree or hedge for decoration, or putting advertisement outside your house. Whatever it may be, it is important to understand how planning permission and Building Regulations can influence what you are able to do.
Do I need planning permission to do anything with my trees/hedges?
You may be required to apply for planning permission or indeed notify your Local Planning Authority if you wish to prune or fell your tree. This is contingent upon whether a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or a conservation area restricts what you can do with your trees.
If your tree is in a conservation area, you can apply for a TPO and this will override the conservation area restrictions. This means you must abide by the TPO rules rather than the conservation area restrictions; therefore, you have more rights than if your tree was protected by a conservation area.
Alternatively, you must give the Local Planning Authority at least six weeks’ notice of anticipated work if:
· Your tree’s diameter is larger than 7.5cm.
· Your tree has a height greater than 1.5m.
If you tree is dangerous, dying, or dead, then you may be able to work on the tree without permission. However, it is vital to take evidence of your tree in a dangerous, dying, or dead condition. This may involve photographs, a tree surgeon’s reports, and witness statements. The reason for this is because it is a criminal offence to carry out work to a tree where notice was required but not served on the Local Planning Authority.
If you are planning on planting a new hedge, rather than a tree, planning permission is generally not required. However, there are caveats. A planning condition or covenant may restrict your ability to plant a new hedge by requiring you to seek permission from your neighbour, for example. Therefore, it is important you do not rush into just planting a new hedge without properly seeking advice.
Furthermore, there are no laws stipulating how high your hedge can grow. However, because you are responsible for looking after such hedge, you must ensure that the hedge is not a nuisance to anyone.
What about Building Regulations?
Building Regulations do not apply to hedges and trees directly. However, property foundations can be affected by tree roots, for example, so Building Regulation considerations do play a part in the context of Building Regulations and your house.
Are there any other considerations I should be aware of?
Regarding trimming your hedge or tree, you are allowed to trim branches or roots which pass onto your property from your neighbour’s property. However, if you trim further than your property boundary into your neighbour’s property, your neighbour could take you to court.
So, what about putting a sign outside your house? You need to consider what planning permission and Building Regulation factors affect your ability to do so.
Do I need planning permission to hang a sign outside my house?
If you display at the front or outside of you house your sign/advert which is bigger than 0.3 metres squared, or if your sign is illuminated regardless of size, you may need to apply for advertisement consent. Therefore, if you wish to place a sign outside your house of your house number, it is likely to be smaller than 0.3 metres square and therefore advertisement consent will generally be a moot point.
However, if your local community organises many local events, such as street parties, you may be in charge of displaying a temporary advert on your property. If so, these must not be bigger than 0.6 metres square.
If you live in a listed building you may require listed building consent to put up a sign or advert.
The United Kingdom Government has produced a document which details how various types of adverts and signs are controlled in England and this may be of interest for further reading because it details the conditions you need to meet to be exempt from applying for advertising consent.
How do Building Regulations affect my ability to put up an advert or sign?
Domestic adverts and signs generally do not require Building Regulation approval. However, if your shed is illuminated, the electrical work will have to be electrically safe. Nevertheless, all adverts and signs must be kept in a safe condition.
This blog has provided you with initial information as to planning permission and Building Regulation requirements for adverts and signs, and trees and hedges. You must research whether planning permission and Building Regulations apply specifically to your circumstance.
PardoesSolicitors