Tree Surveys for Property Developers — Greater Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire

Why Engage an Arboricultural Consultant Early?

Engaging an arboricultural consultant before land is purchased or designs are drawn is the single most cost-effective decision a developer can make when trees are present on or near a site. Early involvement means tree constraints are identified and designed around before they become expensive problems — avoiding redesigns, planning delays, and the risk of refusal or onerous conditions that could have been avoided with better information at the outset.

Urban Tree Management works with developers at every stage of the project lifecycle — from the first site visit through to the final construction monitoring report — providing consistent, commercially aware arboricultural advice throughout.

We provide the full range of arboricultural services required to take a development site with trees through the planning process and construction phase. Each service is described in full on its own dedicated page — click through for detailed information on what each involves, what it costs, and how quickly we can deliver.

Development Feasibility Studies

The essential first step before land purchase or design begins. We assess tree constraints, development potential, and the realistic prospects of planning approval — giving your team the information needed to make an informed go/no-go decision before committing to a site.

Tree Constraints Plan (TCP)

Produced immediately after the initial tree survey, the TCP plots every tree onto the site layout plan showing root protection areas, crown spreads, and all above and below-ground constraints — giving your architect a clear, accurate picture of what they are designing around from day one.

BS5837 Tree Survey

The core planning document required by all local planning authorities where trees are present on or near a development site. Produced in accordance with BS5837:2012, covering all trees on and adjacent to the site with full condition, category, and constraint data.

Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)

Assesses the impact of the proposed development on retained trees and sets out the mitigation measures required to protect them during and after construction. Submitted with the planning application as part of the BS5837 package.

Tree Protection Plan (TPP)

An AutoCAD drawing showing the approved protection measures on the site layout plan — the document contractors and local authority tree officers use to verify compliance during construction.

Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS)

The written document setting out in plain language exactly how tree protection measures will be implemented on site — signed by the contractor before works begin and used as the compliance reference throughout the build.

NHBC Tree Surveys

Where residential development is proposed on sites with trees, NHBC Chapter 4.2 requires foundation design to account for tree influence zones. We provide NHBC-compliant surveys and CAD-ready influence zone plans delivered to your structural engineer's exact specification.

Construction Site Monitoring

Arboricultural Clerk of Works supervision throughout the construction phase — periodic site visits, written inspection records, liaison with the local authority tree officer, and on-site supervision of high-risk operations near retained trees.