BS 5837 Tree Surveys and Arboricultural Support for Planning
Clear tree advice, professional site plans and practical support for your planning application.
Whether you are planning a home extension, new development, demolition project or major site redevelopment, trees can affect the design and information required by the Local Planning Authority.
Urban Forestry Group provides experienced arboricultural support from the initial tree survey through to Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Method Statements, Tree Protection Plans and replacement planting proposals.
We work alongside homeowners, architects, planning consultants, engineers and developers to identify tree constraints early, develop practical solutions and prepare clear planning information in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5837:2012.
Call 0778 606 3133 to discuss your project
Experienced advice · GIS mapping · AutoCAD-compatible plans · 3D visualisation · Support throughout planning
Trees Should Inform the Design, not Become a Late-stage Problem
Support a smoother planning process with a professional BS 5837:2012 tree survey from Urban Forestry Group.
Mapping tree quality and protection areas early gives your design team the information needed to develop a practical site layout.
We do far more than hand over a report. Our specialists translate the survey findings into practical design advice, helping to reduce the risk of avoidable redesign, tree-related objections and delays later in the planning process.
Because trees are a material planning consideration, early arboricultural advice can help protect your programme and budget while supporting a well-informed planning application.
A Complete Arboricultural Planning Service
Urban Forestry Group provides the BS 5837:2012 tree surveys, professional plans and supporting arboricultural documents needed throughout the planning and development process.
BS 5837 Tree Survey
A site assessment recording the relevant trees, groups and hedges, including their species, dimensions, condition, remaining contribution, BS 5837 retention category and plotting the Root Protection Areas (RPAs) around each tree.
Tree Constraints Plan
A professional scaled plan showing tree positions, crown spreads, retention categories and Root Protection Areas. This helps architects understand the above- and below-ground constraints affecting the design.
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
An assessment of how the proposed development may affect retained trees, including demolition, buildings, access, excavation, services, level changes and working space.
Tree Protection Plan
A clear site plan showing construction exclusion zones, protective barriers, ground protection and other measures needed to safeguard retained trees during demolition and construction.
Arboricultural Method Statement
Practical instructions explaining how potentially damaging operations will be undertaken safely around retained trees, including demolition, excavation, surfacing, foundations and site supervision.
New and Replacement Tree Planting
Tree and soft landscape proposals that enhance the site design and green infrastructure. UFG can provide replacement planting plans and software-assisted landscape design.
3D – BS 5837:2012 Tree Surveys
Urban Forestry Group uses Mapscape 2D and 3D mapping technology to capture, manage and present arboricultural information efficiently, including tree canopies, Root Protection Areas, shade and line-of-sight considerations.
Depending on the project, Mapscape can also provide 3D visualisation to help illustrate tree canopies, Root Protection Areas and the relationship between retained trees and proposed development.
2D and 3D mapping helps customers and project teams understand the relationship between trees and development.
Architectural Support
Urban Forestry Group provides an experienced architectural support arboricultural service that helps clients, architects and design teams understand tree constraints, develop practical solutions and prepare professional tree information for planning applications.
- Early practical advice rather than simply recording trees;
- Support for architects and design teams;
- A complete service from initial survey to planning conditions;
- Professional GIS and AutoCAD-compatible plans;
- Mapscape 3D visualisation;
- Tree and landscape design in one coordinated service;
- Straightforward explanations for customers unfamiliar with BS 5837
We provide personal arboricultural guidance, architectural support and modern digital planning information, with over 25 years’ experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers to some of the questions we are commonly asked about BS 5837:2012 tree surveys and planning applications.
Do I Need a Tree Survey for Planning?
A survey is commonly requested where trees on or close to a site could be affected by development. The exact information required depends on the proposal and the Local Planning Authority’s validation requirements.
Tree Survey vs. Impact Assessment?
The tree survey records and assesses the existing trees and their constraints. The Arboricultural Impact Assessment considers how a particular development proposal affects those trees and explains any necessary mitigation.
Complete Tree Survey Before Final Design?
Ideally, yes. Early survey and constraints information gives the architect an opportunity to respond to important trees, Root Protection Areas and canopy constraints before the layout becomes fixed.
Can you work directly with my architect?
Yes. We can provide professional plans and share relevant survey information directly with AutoCAD, allowing the arboricultural information to be incorporated into the developing site layout.
Do you undertake small residential projects?
Yes. The service can be tailored to projects ranging from an extension or replacement dwelling to large residential, commercial or institutional developments.
Method Statements & Protection Plans
Yes. These can be prepared where required to support the application, provide construction detail or discharge a planning condition.
What If Planning Requests Changes?
We can review tree-related comments, explain what is being requested and help prepare appropriate revisions or additional information within an agreed scope.
Replacement tree planting plans?
Yes. Urban Forestry Group can prepare new or replacement tree planting proposals and associated soft landscape design where required.
Planning work near trees?
Email your site plan(s) to office@urbanforestry.co.uk or call us on 0778 606 3133 to discuss your project requirements.
We will review the available information, explain the likely next steps and provide a clear written quotation for the BS 5837:2012 arboricultural support your project requires.