Tree Survey For Planning To BS5837
The BS583 tree survey is a comprehensive assessment conducted by arboricultural experts to evaluate the trees on a development site.
The purpose of this report is to determine the quality of trees present on the site. Without this report, may refuse to validate your planning application, potentially causing significant delays to your project.
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Local authorities mandate BS5837 reports for planning applications when developing sites with trees.
Urban Tree Management specializes in technical consultancy for trees in development contexts (British Standard 5837:2012), collaborating with developers, house builders, architects, local authorities, planners, and homeowners for over a decade. This collaboration has been crucial to the success of numerous planning applications. Our high-quality work and extensive experience across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Merseyside have enabled us to acquire a deep understanding of local planning authority requirements and potential planning restrictions relevant to your site.
Leveraging our vast knowledge and experience, we have generated technical reports for a wide range of clients, working closely with various planning consultancies, developers, landowners, and architectural firms to fulfill their arboricultural needs.
Should your application site include a tree, or if a tree is situated within 15 meters of the site, an arboricultural report will likely be necessary to support your planning application.
For minor construction projects on domestic properties, the required information may be relatively brief, including annotated plans and a tree schedule. However, if the proposal could impact a significant tree, a more detailed report may be required. We often provide tree survey reports for planning projects belonging to homeowners or small-scale housing developers. It's common for us to hear from individuals surprised by the Planning Authority's requirement for a tree survey and report as part of their planning application.
Why do I need an arboriculturist?
You are required to submit a report to your local authority to support your planning application for the following reason:
- The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) mandates that local authorities, when assessing planning applications, should prioritize the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
- It stipulates that if significant harm from a development cannot be avoided, mitigated, or compensated, then the application should be denied (NPPF, p.118).
- BS5837:2012, the British Standard for trees in relation to planning and development, outlines the process for surveying, retaining, and protecting high-quality trees, as well as compensating for tree loss and enhancing biodiversity as per the NPPF.
- It specifies the necessary information for a tree survey (p.4.4), and the requirements for an arboricultural implications assessment, method statement, and tree protection plan (p.5.4, 6.1, 7.3) (NPPF, p.118).
In response, we offer a quote for arboricultural planning support for work stages 1 and 2, in accordance with BS5837:2012. After reviewing the available data, we believe our services will meet your immediate requirements.
What is a BS5837 tree survey?
This phase of work is necessary to validate your planning application.
- As such, we offer a quotation for a visit from one of our Arboricultural Surveyors to conduct a BS5837 tree survey ("Survey"), along with an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Method Statement, and Tree Protection Plan in accordance with the British Standard 5837 (2012) Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition, and Construction – Recommendations. After reviewing the available information, we believe this will meet your immediate requirements.
- The purpose of your survey is to inform both your design team and the local planning authority about the realistic limitations that trees on and adjacent to your site may impose on your development, both above and below ground (if any).
- The Survey will be performed using a Trimble 600 handheld GPS location device, allowing for precise mapping of trees onto the OS Tile or topographical survey, accompanied by a tree constraints plan. This plan will be generated with our PT Mapper Pro software and provided to you in AutoCAD DXF format if required.
- Additionally, you will receive a comprehensive report detailing the consultant's identity, outlining the BS5837 methodology, and providing a summary of the overall nature and condition of the surveyed tree stock.
There are two possible outcomes:
- There are no development constraints posed by trees on or adjacent to your site, meaning, your planning project can be progressed without delay.
- High-quality trees on or adjacent to your site will constrain the gross developable area, meaning, your local authority/ LPA will expect to see an Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan (see below).
What are arboricultural impact assessments, method statements, and tree protection plans?
- This phase of work is typically necessary to assess your planning application or to discharge conditions of consent.
- Your impact assessment is a document that complements your planning application. It demonstrates a balanced development design with a thoughtful strategy for preserving and safeguarding high-quality trees on your property. This indicates to the local planning authority that the trees have been factored into your plans and that their value to the community will be preserved—or even enhanced.
- The method statement and tree protection plan illustrate the steps implemented to safeguard trees, such as guidance for potential engineering solutions. It also outlines a protocol for protective actions and any necessary tree work, as well as additional recommendations that align with the scope and intensity of your development.
Protected Trees and Planning
If your trees are within a Conservation Area or are covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) you will need to get consent of the local planning authority before undertaking any works to the trees.
Tree Preservation Orders
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal order that makes it a criminal offence to cut, damage, or destroy a protected tree without permission. If someone breaks this law, they can be held responsible, and in serious cases, they may face an unlimited fine in Crown Court.
Trees in Conservation Areas
If a tree is in a Conservation Area you must give the local planning authority at least six weeks’ written notice of any planned work. This is called a ‘section 211 notice’ and allows the LPA to consider protecting the tree with a TPO.
We conduct development site surveys and reports in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, and nationally for various projects. The authorities in the areas we cover will request tree survey reports with all planning applications.
Before can visit your site and conduct a tree survey, we need to ask you a few critical questions about your project Please fill out our quick and easy online form so we can capture the most important project information and provide you with a free quote that includes all necessary details.
Tree Reports to help you obtain planning permission.
Please complete our online form to provide us with essential project details and receive a complimentary quote that encompasses all the necessary information.
