Privacy & Cookies policy
What the Protected Tree Checker collects, why, the third parties involved, and the choices you have.
Last updated: 5 June 2026
The Protected Tree Checker (“the site”) is a free prototype that lets you check whether Tree Preservation Order (TPO) records appear near a UK postcode. This policy explains how we handle information when you use it.
If you have any questions or want to exercise your data rights, contact us at privacy@example.com.
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.
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.
| Name | Type | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| ptc_vid | Essential / analytics | Anonymous visitor ID used to group searches and measure usage without identifying you. | Up to 1 year |
| ptc_admin | Essential | Keeps a site administrator signed in to the admin area. Only set for operators of the site, never for normal visitors. | 12 hours |
| ptc.cookie-consent | Essential (local storage) | Remembers whether you accepted or declined analytics. | Until cleared |
| _ga, _ga_* | Optional analytics | Set by Google Analytics (only if you accept) to measure how the site is used. IP addresses are anonymised. | Up to 2 years |
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.
| Service | Used for | What it receives |
|---|---|---|
| Postcodes.io | Turning your postcode into map coordinates and an area name. | The postcode you entered. |
| planning.data.gov.uk | The national Tree Preservation Order dataset we search. | The coordinates derived from your postcode. |
| OpenStreetMap & CARTO | Map 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). |
| Supabase | Database that stores searches and enquiries. | The search and enquiry data described above. |
| Vercel | Hosting 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.
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, and on taking steps at your request when you submit an enquiry.
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.
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 privacy@example.com.
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).
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.