Legal

Privacy & Cookies policy

What TPO Checker collects, why, the third parties involved, and the choices you have.

Last updated: 24 July 2026

Who we are

TPO Checker (“the site”) lets you check whether Tree Preservation Order (TPO) records appear near a UK postcode, free of charge, and offers an optional paid Protected Tree & Planning Report. This policy explains how we handle information when you use either.

If you have any questions or want to exercise your data rights, contact us at hello@tpochecker.co.uk.

What we collect

Searches you run

When you check a postcode we record the search so we can understand how the site is used and keep it working. This includes the postcode you entered, the result (e.g. how many records were found and how close), your approximate location/area, your IP address, your browser and device (user-agent), the page that referred you, an anonymous visitor ID, and the date and time. We do not ask you to log in and we do not knowingly collect special-category data.

Enquiries you send (“request a quote”)

If you choose to submit the enquiry form, we collect the details you provide — your name, email, phone number (optional), postcode, the type of work, and your message — together with the same request context above (IP, browser, time). This is so the enquiry can be read and followed up. A copy is also saved in your own browser so you can see what you sent.

Report purchases

If you buy the paid report, payment is handled entirely by Stripe — we never see your card details. We store your email address, the postcode and property address the report covers, the order reference, and the order's status so we can deliver the report, re-send it if needed, and process refunds. The finished PDF is stored so your download link keeps working.

Cookies & local storage

We use a small number of first-party cookies and browser storage. When you first visit, a cookie notice lets you accept or decline optional analytics. Analytics cookies are only set if you accept; you can change your mind by clearing the site's storage in your browser.

NameTypePurposeRetention
ptc_vidOptional analyticsAnonymous visitor ID used to group searches and measure usage without identifying you. Only set if you accept analytics.Up to 1 year
ptc_consentEssentialRemembers your analytics choice so our servers can respect it.1 year
ptc_adminEssentialKeeps a site administrator signed in to the admin area. Only set for operators of the site, never for normal visitors.12 hours
ptc.cookie-consentEssential (local storage)Remembers whether you accepted or declined analytics.Until cleared
_ga, _ga_*Optional analyticsSet by Google Analytics (only if you accept) to measure how the site is used. IP addresses are anonymised.Up to 2 years
ph_*Optional analyticsSet by PostHog (only if you accept) to measure how the site is used and to capture errors so we can fix them.Up to 1 year
Data sources & third parties

To work, the site sends some information to the services below. The first two are public data sources we query on your behalf; the others help us host and operate the site.

ServiceUsed forWhat it receives
Postcodes.ioTurning your postcode into map coordinates and an area name.The postcode you entered.
planning.data.gov.ukThe national Tree Preservation Order dataset we search.The coordinates derived from your postcode.
OpenStreetMapMap tiles shown on the results map.Your IP address and the map area being viewed (standard for any web map).
Google Analytics (Google)Optional usage analytics — only if you accept cookies.Anonymised usage data (pages viewed, approximate region).
PostHogOptional usage analytics and error monitoring — only if you accept cookies. PostHog processes this data in the United States under UK-approved safeguards.Usage data (pages viewed, clicks, searches run) and technical error details.
StripePayment processing for the paid report. Card details go directly to Stripe and never touch our servers.Your email, payment details, and the property address/postcode named on the order.
ResendSends the report delivery email after a purchase.Your email address and the report PDF.
SupabaseDatabase that stores searches and enquiries.The search and enquiry data described above.
VercelHosting and serving the website.Standard request data (including IP) needed to deliver pages.

We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.

Legal basis & retention

Under UK data protection law, we rely on legitimate interests to log searches and keep the site secure and working, on your consent for optional analytics cookies, on taking steps at your request when you submit an enquiry, and on performance of a contract when you buy a report (we need your email and the property details to deliver it, and we keep order records to meet our accounting obligations).

We keep search logs and enquiries only as long as needed for these purposes and then delete or anonymise them. You can ask us to delete your enquiry at any time.

Your rights

You have the right to access, correct or delete your personal data, to object to or restrict its processing, and to withdraw consent for analytics at any time. To make a request, email hello@tpochecker.co.uk.

If you are in the UK and are unhappy with how we handle your data, you can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site evolves. Material changes will be reflected by the “last updated” date at the top of this page. See also our About TPOs page for the data accuracy disclaimer.