Trees in Kirklees

1. The Planning Service
2. Leisure Services
3. Highways Service
4. Other tree related services
5. Forms and publications

1. The Planning Service

The Planning Service, officially called the Local Planning Authority (LPA), deals with all issues relating to trees in private ownership.  So things such as the making, serving and administration of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), dealing with issues relating to trees growing in Conservation Areas (CAs), nuisance hedges, and matters relating to trees and development all come under the Local Planning Authority's jurisdiction.

The address of the Tree Section is:
Kirklees Planning Service,
PO Box B93,
Civic Centre,
Huddersfield   HD1 2JR
Tel: 01484 414909
Email: planning.contactcentre@kirklees.gov.uk

All trees in private ownership are the responsibility of the owner of the land on which they grow whether or not they are subject to statutory protection.

The council does not undertake work to privately owned trees.

The council cannot investigate matters of land ownership - this should be done via the Land Registry website (external site) or telephone: 01159 351166

The council cannot take sides in any dispute over trees.  If you need help in any matter you should consult a solicitor or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

2. Leisure Services

Leisure Services deal with all issues relating to trees in council ownership.  So matters relating to trees in highway verges, public parks and gardens, some schools, council house gardens, council owned woodlands and other public open space are all dealt with by that service.

The address is:
Kirklees Leisure Services (Forestry Section),
Stadium Business Complex,
Stadium Way,
Huddersfield   HD1 6PG
Tel: 01484 234031 or 234133
Email: culture.leisure@kirklees.gov.uk

Enquiries in respect of whether land is council owned should be made to:
Kirklees Design and Property Service (Terrier Section),
Kirkgate Buildings,
Byram Street,
Huddersfield   HD1 1BY
Tel: 01484 226190
Email: dps.main@kirklees.gov.uk

3. Highways Service

Kirklees Highways Service also have a small role relating to trees, in that they deal with complaints about trees, shrubs and other vegetation which is causing an obstruction on pavements, footways and other public thoroughfares, or which are obscuring street lighting.

The address of the Highways Service is:
Flint Street,
Fartown,
Huddersfield
Tel: 0800 731 8765
Email: highways.ross@kirklees.gov.uk

4. Other tree related services

Biodiversity: promoting and protecting wildlife habitats.
Email: environment.unit@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 223482

Conservation Grants and Grants for Tree Planting.
Email: countryside.unit@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 234076

Countryside: management of nature reserves, countryside events, conservation grants and environmental education.
Email: countryside.unit@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 234099

Environmental Grant Scheme: support for projects which protect and enhance the environment.
Email: environment.unit@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 223490

Garden waste collection.
Email: wastedirect@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 414700

Tree planting and woodland management.
Email: culture.leisure@kirklees.gov.uk

5. Forms and publications

• 1 App - the national standard planning application forms
  
  • Includes Application for Tree Works: Works to Trees Subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or Notification of Proposed Works to Trees in Conservation Areas (CA), guidance/advice note and checklist; and
  • Application for Hedgerow Removal: Notice, guidance, advice note and checklist.
• Complaint form (PDF 92kb) - This form should be used to report to the council any breach in Tree Preservation Order or Conservation Area legislation.
• Living with trees: A guide for householders (PDF 481kb) - This publication highlights the problems involved in living with trees and how best to manage and maintain them.
• Over the garden hedge (external site) - A guide to help you negotiate with your neighbour over issues relating to boundary hedges.
• The right hedge for you (external site) - A guide to choosing a garden hedge and associated hedge selector table (external site PDF).
• High hedges: complaining to the council (external site) - A simple guide explaining what happens if you make a complaint to the council.
• High hedges complaints pack (PDF 462kb) - All the forms and information you need to make a formal complaint about your neighbour's hedge.

All information contained on this and other pages relating to trees is written for the benefit of tree owners, the general public and amenity groups and answers some of the most common questions about tree preservation procedures.  It is for guidance only and is not a statement of the law.  You should consult a solicitor if you are unsure of your legal rights or obligations.