If your property sits within Dartmoor or Exmoor National Park — or even close to the boundary — the rules for tree work are different from those that apply outside a National Park. This guide explains the key differences and what you need to do before any work begins.
Why National Parks have different rules
National Parks in England have their own planning authority — the National Park Authority (NPA) — which operates separately from the surrounding county or district councils. The NPA has a statutory duty to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the park. This duty shapes how they approach planning applications, including applications for tree work.
Conservation Area notification
Many settlements within Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are designated Conservation Areas. In a Conservation Area, you must give the relevant National Park Authority six weeks’ written notice before carrying out most tree work on trees over 75mm diameter. This is the same rule as applies to Conservation Areas outside National Parks — but the context and scrutiny are different. National Park authorities are more likely to raise a TPO in response to a notification than a district council might be, particularly if the tree in question contributes significantly to the character of the settlement.
Tree Preservation Orders in the Parks
Both Dartmoor and Exmoor have extensive TPO coverage on significant trees within and around their settlements, particularly on trees visible from public roads and footpaths, and on trees adjacent to listed buildings. The Parks’ TPO registers are separate from those maintained by Devon County Council and the surrounding local authorities — we check both the NPA register and the local authority register for any tree close to a park boundary.
Works exempt from consent
As with TPOs and Conservation Areas generally, some works are exempt: removing dead branches, making a tree safe where there is an immediate risk to life, and certain utility works. These exemptions are narrow and the burden of proof rests on the landowner — so if there is any doubt, submitting a notification or application is always the right approach.
Replacement planting
Where the National Park Authority grants consent for tree removal within the Park, they will often attach a condition requiring replacement planting. The species, size, and location of replacement trees will be specified. We advise on suitable replacement species for your location and assist with the planting as part of the project.
What we do for you
We carry out free site visits across Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, check TPO and Conservation Area status with both the NPA and local authority registers, and handle all required notifications and applications as part of the job. You do not need to engage with the planning process — that is what we are here for.