Local planning authorities and local councils attempt to protect the trees that are found in their area using a variety of methods. The main method is to require tree surveys to be completed by anybody or any company that requires planning permission for the purposes of development. As such, if you are considering applying for planning permission you need to consider the requirement for tree surveys and you need to employ a company that specialises in providing these ecological surveys.
The requirement set out by planning authorities is that a BS5837 survey be completed. These are more commonly known as tree surveys and they consider an umber of important factors regarding a development and the trees that this development will affect. The survey will consider which trees must be retained and how best to protect them during the development or redevelopment process.
Developing a plot of land obviously means some change to the location. This change can come in many shapes including the potential damage to surrounding trees. Even if a tree is retained, its root structure and therefore its structural integrity may be damaged by the building of a new site. Tree surveys will take into account all of the existing trees. They will consider whether any trees can be removed, whether they need to be replaced, and whether the planned development will affect those that remain.
In order for the planning authority to make an informed and accurate decision they need to be in possession of certain information. Where this information is not readily available in the plans, the application process can be slowed and a decision may not be made if the authority does not have all of the appropriate information to hand when consider the application.
It is important that you use a reliable and trusted ecological consultancy or engineering firm to complete tree surveys. This will ensure that you receive the appropriate BS5837 tree surveys and that your planning application will be able to proceed without delays that may arise if you do not have all of the proper surveys in place and ready for your application.
ArbTech.co.uk is a leading provider of ecological consultancy including tree surveys, protected species surveys and other surveys that may be required during the planning application process. Contact us today for a competitive quote.