Tree Surveys for Planning and Development

All trees, regardless of their protected status, can be a material consideration in a planning application. The British Standard “Trees in relation to construction – Recommendations” BS5837:2012 recommends the steps that should be taken to ensure that trees are appropriately and successfully retained when a development takes place. This means that where there are trees either on site or within close proximity to the site the Local Planning Authority will consider them when making decisions on planning applications for that site and planning applications should follow the processes set out in BS5837:2012.

Treework Environmental Practice provides a range of arboricultural and ecological consultancy services for development sites including commercial, education, defence, health, industrial and residential developments to help projects remain on time and within budget. From pre-purchase and pre-design through to design, planning application and construction phases Treework Environmental Practice works with the design and construction teams to support successful planning applications and development implementation.

Pre-purchase site appraisal

Treework Environmental Practice can offer a site survey and written report assessing the initial constraints to development. This may take the form of a combined Tree Survey and report to BS5837:2012 and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. It may be appropriate to arrange an initial site meeting with the Tree Officer at this stage to discuss likely constraints to a development.

• • Arboricultural – TPOs/Supplementary Planning Guides
  • Biological Records
  • Protected Species
  • Hedgerows
  • Archaeology

Phase 1 – survey / pre-design

Consultancy Support – Pre-Design Site Meeting with Tree Officer

Site Survey – Topographical Survey
Site Survey – Tree Survey

Report A – Arboricultural constraints report and tree constraints report and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey (depending on site).

Phase 2 – design

Constraints to the site layout should be considered – these have been identified in the Pre-Purchase Site Appraisals, and the Ecological and Arboricultural Reports carried out during Phase 1.

> Consultancy Support – Pre-Application meetings with Local Authority Tree Officer to discuss site layout proposals with Treework Environmental Practice Consultant and Client (if necessary).

> Consultancy Support – Input to design provided by Treework Environmental Practice Consultant to highlight arboricultural constraints and offer solutions.

Phase 3 – planning application

Report B – Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Preliminary Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan and Shade Assessment.

Planning Application approved by LPA often with Planning Conditions to ensure protection of retained trees is undertaken.

Phase 4 – construction

Following approval of the Planning Application a final method statement should be provided to the Local Planning Authority and to the Site Manager as an instruction manual for all operations to be undertaken affecting arboricultural matters on the site as recommended in Report B.

Report C – Deliver Detailed Arboricultural Method Statement.

Treework Environmental Practice continue to provide support throughout the operational phase of development:

• Arboricultural / Ecological Clerk of Works to oversee operations in sensitive areas and provide advice on site.
• Provide a schedule of tree works and manage tree surgery contractors on site.
• Liaise with LPA and client / agent.
• Arrange and oversee installation, maintenance and dismantling of protections measures
• Public consultation / liaison in relation to tree and ecological matters.