Development and Planning

Tree Sense provide full Arboricultural Impact Assessments in accordance with

BS 5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demoliton and construction - Recommendations.


Arboricultural Impact Assessments are commonly required in the process of obtaining planning permission for new development projects.

The British Standard 5837:2012 sets out guidelines to be followed to ensure trees are protected from unnecessary removal and good quality retained trees are protected from the construction activities taking place around them.

An Arboricultural Consultant's input and expertise is necessary right from the start of the development project in the design and planning phases, right through to completion of the project and post development aftercare.

A BS 5837 : 2012 survey and report is necessary to firstly identify the tree constraints at a site, in terms of determining the feasibility of any development proposal and secondly, to ensure trees are safeguarded throughout the course of any development project.

The report will include all necessary procedures and recommendations to be employed at the site by first understanding the tree constraints and then working to ensure the new development and trees can co exist harmoniously.

The Arboricultural Impact Assessment report will provide guidance on scheme feasibility and the controls to be employed to ensure trees do not suffer from the potential ill effects of development and construction activity.

Following a tree survey, the Arboricultural Impact Assessment follows a distinctive process and timeline:

  • Ascertain tree constraints to a development proposal;

  • Assist Architects and Project Managers with conceptual and final design;

  • Pre-development tree work and retention of good quality trees;

  • Explore tree friendly engineering solutions for new structures - (Methodology and specification);

  • Advise on tree friendly hard surface solutions near to trees - (Methodology and specification);

  • Design and layout of Construction Exclusion Zones to protect trees from the adverse effects of development activity;

  • Barrier fencing requirements, ground protection measures and their specifications;

  • Demolition and construction methodologies in close proximity to trees;

  • Design considerations and area protection for new tree planting;

  • Post development tree management programming and aftercare.

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment, conducted in accordance with BS 5837:2012 provides Private Homeowner Clients, Architects and Commercial Developers with the correct guidelines and procedures to ensure the standard is adhered to from the outset of the project, through to completion.

We provide a full BS 5837:2012 consultancy service for all construction projects including home extensions, basements, new home build developments and existing property re-developments.

Contact Us today to discuss your project further with us and arrange a consultation meeting.

N.B. Tree Protection Plans detail the necessary measures required to exclude site activity and safe guard trees above and below ground level during construction phases. Tree protection usually involves using aparatus such as barrier fencing and temporary ground protection to create Construction Exclusion Zones.