If your building site has trees on, or adjacent to it, it would be prudent to go to your local council offices and ask to see the TPO schedule for the street that your plot is located in.

If any of the trees are listed, it is important that you do not perform any sort of trimming or removal without written permission, as the fines can be very high for unlawful removal.

If the trees are not listed, but are going to be in the way of your proposed development, you will have the ethical dilemma of removing any trees that you feel necessary prior to submitting an application, or showing them on the plan to be removed and run the risk of not getting approval because the aurdricultural officer wishes to keep them. And they have the power to put a protection order on a tree or area instantly.

If a tree is on TPO schedule, you can get it removed if it is diseased or dangerous. A tree specialist would be required to provide a supporting report.