Arboriculture
BS5837 Planning and Development
Trees are an important consideration for development sites which have trees, hedgerows or woodlands on or near the site. Consideration of the potential impacts to trees and how trees will be safeguarded during construction is often a requirement for submitting a planning application. We strongly encourage early engagement with an arboricultural consultant at project inception who can help you by:
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Identifying important arboricultural features on your site through a desk study, tree survey and Preliminary Arboricultural Appraisal.
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Preliminary Arboricultural Appraisals provide your design team with advice on policy requirements, arboricultural constraints and opportunities and tailored design advice. They include, as standard, a Tree Survey Schedule and Tree Constraints Plan.
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Delivering a comprehensive and clear Arboricultural Impact Assessment report with your planning application.
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Designing a Tree Protection Plan and Arboricultural Method Statement to safeguard arboricultural features throughout construction.
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Supervising sensitive works near trees during construction and ensuring compliance with approved planning documents.
BS5837 Tree Survey
A qualified Arboriculturist will visit your site and record all trees, woodlands and hedgerows on and near the site in accordance with British Standard 5837. We record tree locations accurately and collect valuable data on tree species, height, canopy spread, shade patterns, tree quality and root spread to give you a clear picture of the tree constraints present at the site.
Preliminary Arboricultural Appraisal
A Preliminary Arboricultural Appraisal provides, as standard, a Tree Constraints Plan in DWG and PDF formats and a Tree Survey Schedule following the tree survey. GIS tree constraints data can be provided for larger schemes if required.
The Appraisal also details relevant planning policy to be aware of prior to the submission of a planning application as well as a desk study of protected trees, ancient and veteran trees, ancient woodlands and traditional orchards.
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Arboricultural constraints as well as opportunities for enhancement are provided with tailored advice for the design team on how to design a site layout which maximises tree retention and delivers enhanced tree management and canopy cover for your Site.
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This report is invaluable at the start of the design process for larger development Sites with significant arboricultural features that require early consideration.
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Arboricultural Impact Assessment
This is the report often required with the submission of a planning application.
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The report details the methods and results of the tree survey and a full assessment of the potential impacts to existing trees from the development. Positive impacts from new tree planting and landscaping are also assessed to provide an overall assessment of the development's implications for trees. All our reports and drawings are in accordance with British Standard 5837.
Arboricultural Method Statement
The Arboricultural Method Statement demonstrates to the Local Planning Authority how construction near trees will be undertaken sensitively to minimise impacts to arboricultural features, for example, providing detailed methodologies for any excavation in Root Protection Areas, hard surfacing installations or remedial work. This document is followed by construction contractors and details where supervision by an arboricultural consultant may be required.
Tree Protection Plan
A Tree Protection Plan visually demonstrates to the Local Planning Authority where tree protection measures will be installed throughout construction (such as tree protection fencing). The locations of where sensitive construction methodologies are also shown and based on the technical design and layout of the development. This document works alongside the Arboricultural Method Statement and together are followed by construction contractors during construction.
Arboricultural Clerk of Works
An Arboricultural Clerk of Works (ACoW) is a qualified Arboriculturist who provides support during construction. The ACoW checks the correct installation of tree protection measures in accordance with the approved Tree Protection Plan. The ACoW also supervises sensitive works near trees in accordance with the approved Arboricultural Method Statement.
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A written record of tree protection checks and supervision is provided to demonstrate to the Local Planning Authority, and provide peace of mind to the client, that the correct processes have been followed in accordance with the approved planning permission.
Ecology
Habitats and protected species are a material consideration for planning applications. Early engagement with an Ecologist at project inception is always advised as ecological surveys can be required at certain times of the year so having an early indication of the requirements can provide greater confidence for project timelines.
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A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is often the first step towards understanding what habitats are present and whether there is potential for protected species on your site. A PEA is very useful for informing the design and layout of the development. For the planning application stage, we can provide an Ecological Impact Assessment report fully assessing all the potential impacts of the proposals to habitats and species. We can also provide the supporting Biodiversity Net Gain calculations with pragmatic guidance throughout your project to help you achieve the minimum 10% BNG where applicable.
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Post planning consent, Autumnwood Arboriculture and Ecology Ltd. can guide you through, and provide the necessary reports, to discharge of any ecology-related planning conditions such as Construction Environmental Management Plans (Biodiversity), Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs), Biodiversity Gain Plans and Biodiversity Enhancement Plans.
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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and Ecological Impact Assessment
Our Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) reports provide you with a clear roadmap for any next steps required before submitting a planning application. We undertake desk studies to consider statutory and non-statutory designated sites near the site and records of relevant species to inform you of any sensitivities that may need to be considered for your development. Our PEAs are valuable prior to design taking place to inform project timescales, layout, any likely mitigation that may be required during construction as well as guidance on how to enhance the site for biodiversity.
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Our Ecological Impact Assessments provide a detailed account of the methods and results of all surveys, a full impact assessment for habitats and protected species as well as required mitigation and compensation to achieve a positive outcome for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Net Gain
Autumnwood can advise on whether BNG applies to your development and if so, calculate the value of existing habitats on the Site. We can advise on your options for achieving 10% BNG including liaising with your landscape architect to maximise BNG on site.
We can provide the full suite of necessary BNG reports including baseline and post-development BNG calculations, Biodiversity Gain Plans and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
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We can also work with landowners who would like to explore BNG opportunities and register as a Biodiversity Gain Site with Natural England.
Protected Species Surveys
Autumnwood can advise which further protected species surveys may be required and then coordinate the delivery of those surveys for your project.
We can undertake the following protected species surveys in house:
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Ground Level Tree Assessments for bat roost potential in trees
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Preliminary Roost Assessments of buildings
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Reptile surveys
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Habitat Suitability Index Assessments of ponds
For any other specialist surveys we will work with trusted local ecologists who hold the relevant protected species survey licences.