Have you received a letter from the SCC Highways Tree team?

As more than one Buckland resident has recently let the parish council know they have received a letter from Surrey County Council (SCC) that includes an instruction to remove one or more trees growing alongside the A25 Reigate Road it would appear the tree team at SCC has completed an inspection of A25 roadside trees in Buckland.

If you own land or property that includes trees that are close to a road or roadside footpath, you must make sure they are safe by arranging for them to be regularly inspected and you must take action if a tree on your land stops vehicles or pedestrians using the road or pavement safely, is dead or might fall down, blocks the line of sight at a road junction or blocks street lights, pelican crossings or road signs.

Before you undertake any tree work, check whether the tree identified in the letter is within the Buckland Conservation Area or is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). If your response is yes….you will need to apply to Mole Valley District Council for permission to undertake the work.

Your parish council, having spoken with the senior tree officer at MVDC, advises you to attach a copy of the SCC instruction to any application you submit. Hopefully this will help the MVDC tree officers to process the application relatively quickly.

For more information about your responsibility visit the SCC website page which explains “Your responsibilities for trees on your property” Additional, useful information can be found on the page headed “Maintaining our trees”.

Published 15th May 2026