Planning Proposals
If you know that you live in a conservation area a planning order is required to be put to the local authorities.
A planning order generally takes 6 weeks, this will notify the council that you plan to have work carried out on your tree, some trees have Tree Preservation Orders ( T.P.O. )protecting them from certain work being carried out and this means that the council will dictate what work you can or cannot have done.
If your tree does have a Tree Preservation Order ( T.P.O. ) there is generally a good reason.
If you choose not to apply to the local authorities and have the work carried out the council will follow up the issue with either a fine which could range from £1,000 onwards, this is the same even if you take a few branches off without planning permission.
If you decide to have the tree removed completely without consent, you will have t0 replace the tree to its former glory by having a new tree planted at the height and maturity that it was, the cost for this can run into double figures i,e the cost to export the tree from another country, moving the tree to your property, a JCB to the dig the hole, and a mini crane to put the tree into the ground, as well as the fine on top.
My advice would be to call your local council, ask for the planning department, they will tell you whether or not you need to apply, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
If you are not sure what to put on the application
Once you decide what company will be carrying the work out, the tree surgeon will generally do this for you at no exta charge.