AQW 33008/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
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.
Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 7 October 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 7 October 2025
- Answer due by
- 22 October 2025
- Answered
- 22 October 202515 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
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.