When property owners and developers prepare a planning application, one of the most common requirements requested by local planning authorities is a BS5837 tree survey. This standard—officially known as BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction—provides a comprehensive framework for deciding which trees should be retained on a development site and how they must be protected during the construction process.
However, the planning process can sometimes throw up unexpected scenarios. Our team at Arbor Cultural recently experienced exactly this when we visited a development site in the London Borough of Richmond.
A Surprising Site Visit: Where Are the Trees?
The London Borough of Richmond is well-known for its stringent planning policies, extensive conservation areas, and highly protective stance on local green infrastructure. As a result, the local planning authority often requests arboricultural reports as a mandatory validation requirement for planning applications, even before the full details of the site’s vegetation are entirely clear.
When our arboriculturists arrived on-site in Richmond to undertake the requested BS5837 tree survey, we were met with a surprising reality: there were no actual trees on or immediately adjacent to the site.
Instead of towering oaks, mature maples, or established street trees, the site contained only a collection of small, ground-level shrubs. While it might seem counterintuitive to conduct a “tree survey” for a site devoid of trees, satisfying the council’s planning requirements is a non-negotiable step in keeping a development project moving forward.
The Root of the Matter: Trees vs. Shrubs
To understand why this scenario is unique, it helps to look at how trees and shrubs differ in the eyes of a construction project. Under BS5837 guidelines, the primary goal is to establish a Root Protection Area (RPA) for significant trees. Trees rely on extensive, woody root systems that can spread vast distances to seek out water, oxygen, and nutrients. Heavy machinery, soil compaction, and foundation digging can easily sever or suffocate these vital roots, leading to the tree’s decline or death.
Key Distinction: Unlike trees, small shrubs typically possess dense, compact, and highly fibrous rooting systems.
These fibrous roots are relatively shallow and highly localized. Because of their biological structure, these shrubs:
- Do not project large root networks into proposed construction zones.
- Are incredibly resilient and easily adaptable to minor environmental changes.
- Will not be adversely affected by the standard construction footprint of this specific development.
Delivering the AIA and AMS for a “No-Tree” Site
Despite the absence of significant trees, the local planning authority still required formal documentation to prove that the proposed development would not cause environmental harm. We utilized the data gathered during our site visit to produce the necessary professional reports:
- Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA): We drafted a comprehensive AIA that detailed the existing vegetation. We were able to definitively conclude that the proposed development would have zero negative impact on any significant arboricultural features, given that none were present.
- Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS): Typically, an AMS is a complex document outlining where protective HERAS fencing must be placed, how ground protection boards should be installed, and where heavy machinery is permitted to operate. In this instance, our AMS served a much simpler, but equally important, purpose: it officially confirmed to the planning officers that no tree protection measures were required.
The Value of Professional Arboricultural Advice
It can be frustrating for developers to commission a tree report for a site with merely a few bushes. However, local councils cannot simply take a developer’s word that a site is clear of protected trees. By engaging professional arboricultural consultants, the client received an authoritative, evidence-based report that immediately satisfied the strict requirements of the London Borough of Richmond.
By producing these documents swiftly, we prevented unnecessary delays in the planning validation process, saving the client both time and future headaches. We essentially translated an unexpected site quirk into a streamlined planning victory.
Expert Tree Reports and Management Advice
Whether your site is densely woodland or only features a handful of minor shrubs, navigating local planning requirements requires expert guidance. Arbor Cultural provides professional, pragmatic, and timely arboricultural services to help your project succeed.
For professional tree reports, BS5837 surveys, and expert management advice across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and South East England, do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team.
Call us now for more information on: 020 4531 6444
