Arboricultural Implications Studies

A range of services to the construction industry

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Tree survey plans                            Tree constraints plans                          Tree protection plans                      arboricultural method statements                                 BS5837 tree surveys

Arboricultural implications studies

The principle services we provide for the construction industry are Arboricultural implications assessments (AIA) and site feasibility studies - sometimes simply referred to (incorrectly) as tree surveys or BS5837 tree surveys.

We provide a very comprehensive AIA service, which is broken down into various sections; typically starting with a (pre site purchase) constraints study before moving on to the plans and written statements which inform the design team and support the application.

Typically included in the initial survey and constraints study, are:

• Trees that can be justifiably removed
• Trees that justify retention
• Design implications (limitations/opportunities) brought about by trees that are to be retained.

This initial study often comprises part of a site feasibility study. Below is a standard BS5837 tree protection plan:

example tree survey plan

   --The report identifies tree quality through colour coding, so you can see which trees must stay and which can be removed or replaced

   -- The trees are numbered, identified and an assessment is made on their general condition and contribution to the site and area, either singly or as a collective

   -- The accurate plotting of tree positions and crown dimensions are also carried out.

   -- This BS5837 tree survey is one of the necessary drawings to be submitted to an LPA, in support of a planning application.

 From realising what trees should be retained from our intial tree survey, we can then produce a tree constraints plan

Example tree constraints plan

-- The constraints plan will plot BS5837 assigned root protection areas around the trees that should be retained throughout the development

-- These root protection areas (RPAs) are overlaid with any building proposals, to see where any conflict between tree needs and development aims occur.

-- The root protection area can and often takes into account varying site topography

-- The tree constraints plan will also plot crown areas that may conflict between tree needs and development aims.

Once the design team are aware of the tree related constraints to the site, they can then produce the masterplans of the proposal, for submission to the Local Planning Authority.

This is also where the tree protection plan is required:

Example tree protection plan

-- The tree constraints plan can be more than one plan, depending on the development being proposed.

--The tree protection plan will indicate where ground protection should be installed and what kind.

-- It will also indicate where the BS5837 style protective fencing should go. Indicative drawings of this fencing is normally supplied.

-- It will also indicate ground levels, so that ground level changes can be spotted and accommodated through method statements.

-- Other indicative illustrations will also be attached where a full understanding by architects, project managers and contractors alike, is fundamental.

Once these three sets of drawings are created, they will be accompanied by a comprehensive arboricultural method statement, as well as a fully reported arboricultural implications study.

Included in the bulk of the arboricultural implications assessments are:

• Further design implications ( if any ), brought about by trees that are to be retained.

• Impact assessments of the design upon the trees and future occupiers - this normally incorporates light/shade and space studies.

• Copious CAD-based plans and pictures to aid the planning application.
  

• Method strategies and statements on demolition and construction procedures to be employed near trees to be protected.

• Specific tree protection methods.

• Systems to be employed during development to provide evidence of enforced tree protection.

• Post development tree care strategies and recommendations.
  

• Budget analysis and allocation for the protection of trees needing such and post development remedial work ( if needed).

• Post development site amelioration strategies. There is a large amount we can do to mitigate development damaged trees.

• Mitigation strategies for loss of (tree-related) site amenity value. This can include planting schemes of any size.

To help with understanding the wider role of arboricultural input in the entire design and construction processes, please see our page on BS5837:2005

Much of the above is a requirement for consent to develop to be granted, by many local authorities. These requirements are recommendations laid out in BS5837:2005, concerning construction near trees. All of our studies conform to this standard, as well as incorporating other such guidance notes, where applicable. We also seek to familiarise ourselves with the respective local planning authorities' interpretations of central goverment's planning policy statements, in order to provide advice and recommendations that aim to comply with them.

Included in the final reports are all the documentation and drawings the LPA requires, in order to proceed with the planning application. This is of course, once the design team have been made aware of any modifications needed in order to avert any planning issues over the trees to be retained and implimented them, prior to submission of any application.

During development we can act as third party monitors to any tree protection measures, while working with contractors and project managers to help them comply with tree protection issues. We also provide an on-site informing service to all site staff, on the consequences of failing to pay attention to the tree protection methods.

We also provide a number of other services for the construction industry. These range from planting and soft landscaping schemes, to solutions to enable tree planting in close proximity to built structures and infrastructure.

Working with architects, planning consultancies, structural engineers and building and landscaping contractors, we support planning applications and development projects spanning the entire spectrum of scale, from private developers to volume house builders to commercial construction.

 tree survey plan                                                                          tree constraints plan                                                                 tree protection plan                                                                  tree protection plan - phase II

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