Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) in Surrey & London
Identify potential conflicts between your design and your trees. We provide the technical evidence to resolve planning issues before they start.
What is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?
A BS 5837 Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) is a comprehensive written report. It carefully evaluates two main factors in balance:
The likely effect of planned development on the existing trees.
Equally, how the trees may impact your proposed development.
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), are protected. We identify the long-term value of your trees, working to secure their health and safety within the built environment.
Where does the AIA fit in?
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.
The process typically follows this order:
BS 5837 Tree Survey & Report.
Tree Constraints Plan (TCP) (Using topographical data).
Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) (This document).
Tree Protection Plan (TPP) & Method Statement.
By following this chain, we ensure your application in Surrey, Sussex, or London is robust and defensible.
Advanced Technology & CAD Integration
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.
Generally, this allows us to work alongside your design team to clarify the process. We support your architects, ensuring there is as little impact on the trees as possible during construction.
Identifying the Constraints
We consider a wide range of factors to produce your Arboricultural Impact Assessment.
The three main constraints we analyze are:
Root Protection Areas (RPAs): Calculated at 12x the stem diameter (at 1.5m).
Tree Crown Spread: Measured to the four cardinal points.
Tree Shading: Plotted from 3 o’clock to 10 o’clock to represent daylight hours.
Other factors include:
Tree condition and species characteristics.
Soil conditions, site levels, and topography.
Hard surface incursions into the Root Protection Area.
Site access and construction logistics.
Tree works required for health and safety.
Planning for the future
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.