Identify potential conflicts between your design and your trees. We provide the technical evidence to resolve planning issues before they start.
Secure your planning permission with an expert AIA. We bridge the gap between initial design and final construction, justifying your project to Local Planning Authorities.
Are you looking for a professional BS5837 Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) to enable you to get planning permission for your proposed project? An AIA is a comprehensive written report that carefully evaluates two main factors in balance: the likely effect of planned development on the existing trees, and equally, how those trees may impact your proposed development. In the strict planning landscape of Surrey, London, and the Southeast, this technical report is often mandatory to satisfy Local Authority Tree Officers and ensure your project moves forward without delay. Whether you are an architect, developer, or homeowner, we provide the defensible data needed to Finish the Build.
The Arboricultural Impact Assessment is a critical stage in the planning chain. It bridges the gap between the initial survey and the final construction plan. By following this chain, we ensure your application in Surrey, Sussex, or London is robust and defensible. The planning process typically follows this professional sequence: 1. BS 5837 Tree Survey & Report; 2. Tree Constraints Plan (TCP); 3. Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA); 4. Tree Protection Plan (TPP) & Method Statement (AMS).
Why do you need it? The assessment identifies any potential conflict between retained trees and project plans. It ensures crucial aspects, such as Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and Conservation Areas, are protected. We identify the long-term value of your trees, working to secure their health and safety within the built environment. A substantial body of research supports the economic, environmental, and social benefits that trees bring to urban areas and the contributions they make to people’s quality of life and sense of wellbeing.
Our Impact Assessments benefit from a complete understanding of contemporary technology. We uncover GPS data and convert it to Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Using KeyTree and AutoCAD, we display any constraints we find directly onto your site plans. This allows us to work alongside your design team to clarify the process and support your architects, ensuring there is as little impact on the trees as possible during construction.
We analyze three main constraints to produce your AIA: Root Protection Areas (RPAs), calculated at 12x the stem diameter (at 1.5m); Tree Crown Spread, measured to the four cardinal points; and Tree Shading, plotted from 3 o’clock to 10 o’clock to represent critical daylight hours. We also consider soil conditions, site levels, topography, and hard surface incursions into the RPA.
We don’t just look at today; we are future-proofing your site. Our expertise allows us to identify tree shape, size, and condition constraints in the “here and now,” while also predicting what may happen in the years to come. This allows for tree growth, enabling them to grow to their magnificent best without damaging your property later down the line.
To fully discharge your planning conditions, we offer a full suite of services including on-site Arboricultural Supervision to ensure methodology compliance. For complex trees, we utilize Decay Detection Testing to prove safety. We also provide Expert Witness services for planning appeals and legal disputes.
Following the BSI guidelines, we identify obstacles to root development and account for past ground disturbances. This level of technical scrutiny ensures your planning application stands up to the most rigorous council inspections across the Southeast.
Contact us via our simple form or by phone. We assess your specific needs and provide a fixed-fee proposal with zero hidden costs.
We arrange a visit at your convenience. Our consultants use advanced decay detection technology to gather precise data efficiently.
We produce a legally defensible report, delivered digitally—ready for immediate submission to your council or lender.
Unbiased, technical expertise trusted by developers, architects, and private householders across the South East.