BS5837 Tree Surveys for Planning & Development
New to BS5837? Read our plain English guide — including what the new draft standard is changing → What is a BS5837 Tree Survey?
Urban Tree Management provides full BS5837 arboricultural planning packages for planning applications to every local planning authority across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, and the wider North West. We are completely independent from any tree surgery contractor — every recommendation we make is based entirely on arboricultural merit with no financial interest in the works we recommend.
We are ready to operate the new draft BS5837 methodology when required — including ACOP plans with projected canopy growth, Arboricultural Impact Reports, and canopy cover assessment using species-specific growth rates.
Our clients are already ahead of the transition.Contact us with your site address for a free fixed-fee quote typically within two hours during working hours.
What We Deliver
A full BS5837 planning package from Urban Tree Management consists of four documents — each produced to the specific validation requirements of your local planning authority, and to both the current BS5837:2012 standard and the new draft methodology:
Tree Survey & Schedule Every tree on and adjacent to the site surveyed and recorded — species, stem diameter at 1.3m above ground level, height, crown spread at four cardinal points, condition, remaining useful life, and BS5837 category. All data recorded using GPS-enabled digital survey software producing a complete georeferenced dataset. Under the new draft BS5837 the measurement point moves from 1.5m to 1.3m — Urban Tree Management has already adopted this standard.
Tree Constraints Plan — now ACOP under the new draft A scaled AutoCAD drawing showing all trees, crown spreads, and root protection areas plotted onto the site layout — produced in georeferenced DXF format at OS National Grid BNG coordinates. Under the new draft BS5837 this becomes the Arboricultural Constraints and Opportunities Plan — ACOP — and must show projected future canopy growth at 10, 20, and 30 year horizons for every retained tree, and the canopy contribution of proposed new planting at each horizon. Urban Tree Management already produces to this standard using canopy cover model built on species-specific growth rates.
Arboricultural Impact Assessment — now AIR under the new draft An assessment of all direct and indirect impacts of the proposed development on every tree in the survey — with mitigation measures specified for every retained tree. Under the new draft BS5837 this becomes the Arboricultural Impact Report — AIR — with updated assessment criteria reflecting the new category structure including Category V veteran trees and Category X unretainable trees. Urban Tree Management already produces to the new AIR format.
Tree Protection Plan & Arboricultural Method Statement Construction Exclusion Zones, protection fencing specification and positions, ground protection requirements, and working methods for all operations near retained trees. Under the new draft BS5837 a formal Permit to Work is required for all works within root protection areas — Urban Tree Management incorporates this into every AMS as standard.
The New Draft BS5837 — What It Means for Your Planning Application
The new draft BS5837 is expected to be published shortly. The current BS5837:2012 remains the applicable standard for all planning submissions until it is formally published. However the changes in the new draft are significant — and the consultancies and design teams that understand them now will be the ones whose planning applications are best placed when the transition happens.
The key changes that affect planning applications directly:
- ACOP replaces TCP — the Tree Constraints Plan becomes the Arboricultural Constraints and Opportunities Plan, which must show projected canopy growth at 10, 20, and 30 years — not just existing canopy
- Canopy cover assessment becomes standard — no net loss of canopy cover over 30 years must be demonstrated on all development sites, or justified where it cannot be achieved
- AIR replaces AIA — the Arboricultural Impact Report has updated assessment criteria and a revised category structure
- Category V — veteran trees — a new category for ancient and veteran trees with enhanced protection requirements
- Category A RPA increases — from DBH x 12 to DBH x 15, capped at 22.5m radius — meaning larger protection zones around the most significant trees
- Permit to Work — formal authorisation required for all works within root protection areas
Urban Tree Management is already operating to the new draft methodology across all of these changes. Our ACOP plans, canopy cover model, AIR reports, and AMS documents are built to the new standard — our clients will not need to change anything when the new standard is published.
Our Approach
We get involved at feasibility stage wherever possible. A Tree Constraints Plan — or ACOP under the new draft — produced before the architect finalises the layout saves significant time and cost later. Urban Tree Management advises on site layout optimisation as standard before any planning package is submitted — allowing the design team to work around the tree constraints rather than retrofitting solutions after the fact.
For landscape architects and ecological consultants working to no net loss canopy cover requirements under the new draft of BS5837 ACOP plans will be produced and in georeferenced DXF format compatible with AutoCAD, BricsCAD, and QCAD — with canopy projections at 10, 20, 30 years using species-specific growth rates, breakeven point identified, and net gain or loss clearly shown at each horizon.
Local Authority Knowledge
Urban Tree Management has delivered BS5837 planning packages for applications to every local planning authority across the North West. We have direct experience of each authority's validation requirements, tree officer expectations, and local planning policies.
Costs
All BS5837 surveys are provided on a fixed-fee basis confirmed before we attend site. Contact us with your site address and a brief description of your project for a free written quote — typically within two hours during working hours.
FAQ
Do I need a BS5837 survey for my planning application?
If trees are present on your application site or on adjacent land within falling distance of the proposed works, your local planning authority will almost certainly require a BS5837 tree survey before validating your application. Contact us with your site address and we will confirm whether a survey is required free of charge — usually within two hours.
What is the difference between BS5837:2012 and the new draft BS5837?
The new draft introduces significant changes including the ACOP replacing the TCP, canopy cover assessment becoming standard on all development sites, a new Category V for veteran trees, and larger root protection areas for Category A trees. Urban Tree Management is ready operating to the new draft methodology when required. For a full explanation see our guide — What is a BS5837 Tree Survey?
Can you produce ACOP plans to the new draft BS5837 standard now?
Yes — Urban Tree Management is already producing ACOP plans with projected canopy growth at 10, 20, and 30 years using species-specific growth rates, produced in georeferenced DXF format compatible with all major CAD software.
Can you get involved at feasibility stage?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Early involvement allows the Tree Constraints Plan or ACOP to inform the site layout before it is fixed, significantly reducing arboricultural impact and the risk of onerous planning conditions.
Do you cover discharge of planning conditions?
Yes — Urban Tree Management provides Arboricultural Clerk of Works supervision and post-construction inspection for clients needing to discharge arboricultural planning conditions.
Are your surveys accepted by all local planning authorities?
Yes — we have detailed knowledge of every local planning authority's validation requirements across the North West and our surveys are accepted without requests for additional information.
BS5837 Tree Surveys — New Draft BS5837 Ready — Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire & Nationwide
Independent tree surveyors operating to the new draft BS5837 methodology — ACOP plans, canopy cover assessment, and AIR reports produced to the new standard now. Fixed-fee quotes provided free of charge within two hours during working hours.
Get in contact with our highly experienced and personable team of arboricultural consultants today, to discuss your requirements and to obtain your zero obligation quotation.
