The TPO legal framework is the following:
- Part VIII of the Town and Country Planning Act (as amended)
- Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012
- Section 192 of the Planning Act 2008; further amendments to the 1990 Act which allowed for the transfer of provisions from within existing TPOs to regulations
- Part 6 of the Localism Act 2011 amended section 210 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 concerning time limits for proceedings in regard to non-compliance with TPO regulations.