Trees are a vital asset to any development or land project – adding aesthetic beauty, biodiversity, and long-term value. However, they also bring strict legal protections and complex planning requirements. At Laird Bailey, we provide expert tree consultancy to help you navigate these constraints smoothly, ensuring your project achieves full planning compliance without costly delays.

Navigating Tree Constraints & Legislation

Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are legally required to assess the environmental impact of development proposals on existing trees. Laird Bailey identifies site opportunities and constraints early in the design process and manages associated risks.

Our BS5837:2012 Planning & Development Services

All of our technical surveys, reports, and strategic plans are prepared in strict accordance with BS5837:2012 (‘Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction – Recommendations’). We provide a full suite of arboricultural solutions to back your planning application:

• BS5837 Tree Surveys: A comprehensive on-site assessment recording tree species, dimensions, physiological condition, and retention categories to guide initial site layouts.
• Tree Constraints Plans (TCP): Mapping out the precise above-ground and below-ground areas where existing trees limit or influence your development footprint.
• Arboricultural Impact Assessments (AIA): Critically evaluating how your proposed design may affect existing trees, identifying potential conflicts early.
• Tree Retention and Removal Plans: Clearly outlining and justifying which trees will be safely retained and which will require removal.
• Tree Protection Plans (TPP): Specifying exact physical measures, such as protective fencing and ground protection, to safeguard trees on-site.
• Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS): Detailed, step-by-step methodologies explaining exactly how construction activities will be managed near retained trees.
• Arboricultural Site Supervision: Ongoing, professional monitoring of construction activity to ensure all agreed-upon tree protection measures are strictly followed.

Let Laird Bailey guide your development proposals with confidence.