Tree Surveys for Planning and Development

Following the initial tree survey, developers may wish to undertake a feasibility study to determine the likelihood of planning permission being granted and to aid their decision on the purchase. 

The feasibility study will provide an in-depth indication of the potential of a site for development. It will also provide a tree appraisal to determine the trees’ value and an estimate of potential costs that could arise from likely tree works required either for the conservation of trees or to make a site safe.

The Tree Constraint Plan is a clear and accurate plan, drawn using CAD, which is plotted directly onto a topographical site survey. It contains the positions and dimensions of all trees on a site at the time of the initial survey. The Tree Constraint 

Plan helps to inform future tree management and tree preservation and protection plans.

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) is a technical, written tree assessment that must be provided with your planning application in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of BS5837:2012. 

It considers all the indirect impacts of a proposed development or scheme design on trees within the proposed developable area. It is prepared because we collaborate with you to achieve a good balance between the natural and built environments, whether for green or brownfield sites, house extensions, or strategic land development.

Arboricultural Method Statements are often a requirement of planning permission on sites containing trees. 

This is a document that outlines step-by step-instructions relating to tree works and tree protection measures to be implemented during the construction process.

Production of an accurate Land and Tree Survey and Tree Constraints Plan will enable the production of a Tree Protection Plan for trees on or adjacent to the proposed development site. 

A Tree Protection Plan is a scaled drawing, usually developed in CAD software, which shows the measures that need to be put in place to ensure the safety and long-term viability of retained trees.

Site-specific protection measures are there to ensure that Contractors on site have clear, unambiguous, guidance on the steps they need to take to protect onsite trees.  

The physical protection of trees during the construction process is the best way to ensure successful retention. This will impact on the available space for construction work and, consequently, on the siting of buildings

A system of construction site monitoring is often required for protecting trees during construction on high profile sites and sites where trees are of particular importance due to their arboricultural, landscape or cultural value. It can also be required on sites where trees are protected by tree preservation orders. 

Construction site monitoring can take the form of regular visits throughout the entire construction period to ensure protection measures are being correctly implemented. This will involve a designated Arboriculturalist, such as Urban Tree Management, reporting to the relevant local authority and giving advice should the tree protection measures require alteration.