AQW 33008/22-27


Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down


Tabled Date: 07/10/2025
Answered On Date: 22/10/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the (i) number of applications for Tree Preservation Orders made to local councils, over the last ten years; and (ii) average cost of processing these applications.


Answer:
Details of Tree Preservation Orders are held on a public register maintained by each local council, therefore each will hold information regards the numbers of applications for Preservation Orders made.
However, the Department publish statistics and research on planning, including quarterly and annual statistical publications of planning activities, and the table in this answer provides this information.
Part of published statistics provided information of Tree Preservations Orders received, by planning authority. This information is available from 2016/17 until most recent published statistics 2024/25 and for 2025/26 (Apr-Jun) provisional statistics.
Tree Preservation Orders Received by Local Council
Year
Antrim & Newtownabbey
Ards & North Down
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon
Belfast City
Causeway Coast & Glens
Derry City & Strabane
Fermanagh & Omagh
Lisburn & Castlereagh
Mid & East Antrim
Mid Ulster
Newry, Mourne & Down
2016/17
15
53
9
122
8
1
7
0
27
2
0
2017/18
16
63
12
160
10
3
7
0
21
5
0
2018/19
32
43
12
135
14
1
3
14
20
1
0
2019/20
28
43
16
145
13
0
0
23
24
9
0
2020/21
26
53
9
204
7
0
0
28
28
4
0
2021/22
35
47
14
167
9
0
1
28
15
8
0
2022/23
32
56
7
140
8
3
0
25
16
6
4
2023/24
32
59
10
115
10
6
1
20
20
1
9
2024/25
26
55
11
129
4
12
4
28
41
5
7
2025/26
(Apr-Jun) provisional
8
11
4
21
3
3
1
13
6
1
3
Source: NI Planning Statistics (Accredited Official Statistics)
With regards the average cost of processing of a local council in making a Tree Preservations Orders, there is no fee charged to applicants for requesting a Tree Preservations Orders or for applying to carry out works on protected trees. My Department does not hold details of any internal cost to councils for processing Tree Preservations Orders (e.g. staff time, site visits, drafting the order) and you are advised to approach each council to request this specific information.