Trees and Development.
Surveys and Planning
If you’re planning on carrying out development work, you will need to undertake a number of surveys.
We covered some ecology information in a previous blog: https://www.beechwoodtrees.co.uk/blog/trees-and-ecology
Your survey reports will tell you and the local planning authority about the details found on- site, images, the impact of the work considered on the environment and species and recommendations from your ecologist on what to do next. One recommendation will be something called the Mitigation Hierarchy. This is a set of guidelines used when planning and implementing development projects, which provides an effective plan of action. There are three levels, avoidance, mitigation and compensation.
Are there trees on your site too? You will need a BS5837 tree survey carried out by a qualified arboriculture consultant. Trees play an important part to the environment by maintaining ecosystems and are aesthetically pleasing. The survey is aimed to inform you and your local planning authority of the impact caused to the trees during the development process.
Your arboriculturist will ask you some questions regarding your development such as what you’re planning to do with the site, how and where? You will provide a site plan (a topographical or Ordnance Survey). Once your arboriculturist visits your site, they will then conduct the survey using a variety of equipment and then correlate a report from the data collected. Information covers areas such as the tree species, highlight, condition, spatial information and so on. This will then allow your consultant to plot the tree(s) onto your site plan.
Once your arboriculturist has completed the survey, they will then be able to place the tree(s) into retention categories. This ranges from Category A, B, C and U. These categories give you information on the quality, contribution and function of the tree.
Not only are trees surveyed above ground, but below too, which falls under the Root Protection Area (RPA). This area is the calculated environment for the roots to grow in order for the tree to survive. The area of this radius is calculated by multiplying the diameter of the tree trunk above ground by twelve. This area needs to be kept clear when carrying out development works to avoid any impact.
In the event the Root Protection Area falls within your development plans and pose an impact, there will be the need for an Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA). This assessment primarily covers three areas, which include above ground, below ground, crown shading and the potential to cause future issues with the development process. Conducting an AIA, if necessary is not only needed to back up your planning application, but also necessary in helping you keep to a development deadline and budget by raising any concerns.
Once your BS5837 survey is completed, you will submit it to your local planning authority, demonstrating how your development will protect higher quality trees, while justifying the loss of lower quality trees during the development. Your local planning authority will then base their decision on the evidence provided and their policies.
Tree Work Operations
Once planning consent has been received, any tree works can then be completed as per the recommendations in the BS5837 survey.
This would normally consist of some tree removal works to facilitate development along with safety/management pruning work.
This work should be undertaken preferably by an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.
Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd have the experience and resources to complete this type of work for you safely and efficiently, so we would love to hear from you with any enquiries on upcoming projects you may have.
For more information on our Tree and Vegetation Management please head over to our website by clicking the link below:
