Why You Need a BS5837 Tree Survey When Applying for Planning Permission
Why You Need a BS5837 Tree Survey When Applying for Planning Permission If you’re preparing a planning application and there are trees on or near the site, you’ll almost...
FAQs about tree consultancy
At Arbor Cultural, we’re often asked the similar questions when people ask about our services – and they’re all entirely practical. So, to make your life easier, we’ve
compiled this list of FAQs about tree consultancy However, don’t sit and wonder if you’re unsure about anything. You may have specific queries that a telephone call or email could solve in a jiffy, so do get in touch.
Are you an arboriculturalist?
A good question. The answer is No.
We’re tree consultants – or arboricultural consultants; “tree consultant” is slightly
less of a tongue twister.
In our experience, although aboriculturalists’ work often echoes what we do, it’s easy
to confuse or associate the role with that of a tree surgeon – something that we most definitely do NOT do. Also, we refer to ourselves as tree consultants because
we have a laser focus on preserving trees. Removing a tree is a matter of absolute
last resort, and is to be avoided whenever and wherever possible.
What sort of work do you get involved with?
Arbor Cultural works with amenity trees – those in public parks, private gardens,
open spaces, urban woodlands, schools, golf courses, alongside roads, railway lines,
and housing estates – there are many examples where there is a need for tree
surveys and reports. And, given that trees help to make our communities healthier and happier, preserved and sustained.
We work with the private residential sector, the public sector (for urban planning) and professionals such as planning consultants, architects and property developers.
In addition to your qualifications and accreditations, what other learning and courses have you completed?
We focus on regular professional development to keep our knowledge up to speed.
The courses we have undertaken include:
- The Arboricultural Association for Professional Tree Inspection qualification
- Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA)
- Tree Hazard Risk Evaluation and Treatment System (THREATS)
- Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)
- VALID tree risk assessment and management
Where do you work?
Arbor Cultural covers the whole of the south east: East and West Sussex, Surrey,
Kent, Hampshire, all of London and throughout the home counties. For specialist
work, we may be able to travel further. Get in touch to find out more.
My local council has told me that I need specialist tree reports for my planning application. What is BS 5837?
BS stands for British Standard.
The British Standard “Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition, and Construction –
Recommendations (BS 5837) (2012) is used by the local planning authorities to
assess the impact on trees during the construction phase of a development. That is,
there are certain criteria that must be met with regard to the trees for the application to be approved.
My mortgage lender is asking for a tree survey report. What is it, exactly?
Similar to a property survey as part of your process of buying a house, some lenders
will ask for a tree survey. The need for this may arise further to the building survey
itself, perhaps due to damage nearby trees have caused or the possibility of this
occurring.
Trees and buildings co-exist happily, but occasionally, a tree’s root systems can
cause structural damage or subsidence. Equally, there may be issues with drains or
distortion to hard surfaces, such as paving or driveways. A tree survey from Arbor
Cultural will inform both the lender and the purchaser of the likely costs of putting
things right – enabling them to make good decisions from a practical and financial
point of view.
As well as reports, what else do you offer regarding trees?
We provide expert witness reports for legal issues, high hedge assessments, tree
valuation reports, tree management policies, tree heritage assessments, and related
subsidence assessments and reports.
What’s Arbor Cultural’s Philosophy on Trees?
Trees are an enormous part of our heritage and history, and we promote their
intrinsic value at every opportunity. Our world is waking up to the undeniable fact
that trees are actually good for us. They provide an incredible range of social,
environmental and economic benefits to society, in effect doing several amazing
things at once. Trees:
- Clean the air
- Reduce temperatures
- Break up soil and hold water there
- Offer protection from the sun
- Capture carbon
- “Soften” the built environment by enhancing views
- Provide physical and mental well-being
We feel good when we’re around trees. Modern life is affecting their life and health.
So, our focus is on sustainability and protection – and always will be.
Are you fully insured?
Yes. You can have complete peace of mind when you engage us . Arbor Cultural is
covered with £2 million of professional indemnity to include mortgage and insurance reports, and £10 million for public liability insurance.