40.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the undertaker may fell, lop or prune any part of any tree which is within, over or under land within the Order limits or cut back its roots, if it reasonably believes it to be necessary in order to prevent the tree—
(a)from obstructing or interfering with the construction, maintenance or operation of the authorised development or any apparatus used in connection with the authorised development; or
(b)from constituting a danger to persons using the authorised development.
(2) In carrying out any activity authorised by paragraph (1)—
(a)the undertaker must do no unnecessary damage to any tree or shrub and must pay compensation to any person for any damage arising from such activity; and
(b)the duty in section 206(1) of the 1990 Act (replacement of trees) must not apply.
(3) The authority given by paragraph (1) constitutes a deemed consent under the relevant tree preservation order.
(4) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (2), or as to the amount of compensation, must be determined as if it were a dispute under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.
(5) In this article “tree preservation order” has the same meaning as in section 198 (power to make tree preservation orders) of the 1990 Act.