Tree Survey Plymouth: Planning and Development

Tree surveys and reports will often be required for planning applications if a proposed development site will be within close proximity to trees and woodland. These types of surveys are needed as local authorities in designated areas have a duty of care to review and assess the potential impact that a development could have on the surrounding trees, especially if it may involve tree removal.

Detailed tree surveys for planning are necessary as retained trees are protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This protection is typically in the form of conservation areas, Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), and root protection areas.

If you are a tree owner or have planned a development is within close proximity to protected trees, you are likely to need a number of tree services from an arboricultural consultant, such as a tree survey or quantified tree risk assessment, in order to meet tree survey requirements for obtaining planning permission.

A tree surveyor is a professional that is qualified in tree and woodland management planning. The role of a tree consultant is to assess a trees health and safety, and benefit of individual trees, forests and woodland areas.

Qualified tree consultants have a varied role within ecology, putting tree care as their top priority. They have experience carrying out tree surveys and inspections and preparing tree reports for clients regarding individual trees or hectares of woodland on a site. On development sites where retained trees are endangered by construction work, a consultant may be required to provide management recommendations and specific mitigation measures that must be taken to protect trees from damage.

Collington Winter Environmental offer tree work consultancy services to all locations in the United Kingdom, including Plymouth, the south west and beyond. We provide a wide range of high-quality services, including:

• Tree condition surveys
• Aerial tree inspections
• British Standard BS5837 tree surveys
• Arboricultural method statements/ tree protection plans
• Arboricultural impact assessments
• Site monitoring and supervision
• Tree constraint plan drawings
• Tree risk assessments
• Health and safety tree surveys

If you are looking to apply for planning permission and you believe that surrounding trees could impact this, please get in touch to find out more about our tree survey, Plymouth service.