Turns commitments into instructions
The statement can convert approved arboricultural principles into a clear sequence that contractors can understand and implement.
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Arboricultural Method Statement.
BS5837 · Planning Conditions · Tree Protection
Arboricultural Method Statement.
For Planning & Construction.
Need an Arboricultural Method Statement for a planning condition or works near retained trees? Send the condition and drawings you already have and we’ll help identify the right scope.
- BS5837:2012 planning and tree-protection methodology
- Project-specific advice — not a generic template
- Consultant reviewed with a fixed-fee proposal
FREE · NO OBLIGATION
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Arboricultural Method Statement — Quick Answer
What is an Arboricultural Method Statement?
An Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) explains how demolition or construction work will be carried out where retained trees need protection. It turns the approved arboricultural strategy into practical site instructions for operations such as access, excavation, services, surfacing, fencing and supervised work.
Technical content maintained by Arbor Cultural
Independent arboricultural consultancy · Updated September 2026
When is it needed?
Usually where planning or construction needs detailed tree-protection methodology
What should I send?
Condition wording, site address and the latest drawings you already have
What happens next?
Consultant review followed by a clear fixed-fee proposal
Arboricultural Method Statement enquiry
Have a planning condition, decision notice or contractor question?
Use the form above or email the exact condition wording and latest drawings. You do not need to work out whether the project also needs a Tree Protection Plan or supervision before getting in touch.
The construction-stage tree document
What is an Arboricultural Method Statement?
An Arboricultural Method Statement, often shortened to AMS, is a project-specific document explaining how relevant demolition and construction operations will be carried out where retained trees need to be protected.
Controls work near retained trees
Fencing, ground protection, demolition, excavation, services, surfacing, access, storage and supervised works can all be addressed where relevant.
Can form part of condition information
Where permission requires an AMS or related tree-protection information, the document can form part of the material submitted to address that condition.
When is an Arboricultural Method Statement required?
When is an Arboricultural Method Statement required?
An AMS may be requested with an application, as part of a detailed BS5837 package, or after permission through a planning condition. The trigger depends on the retained trees, site constraints, design and exact wording issued for the project.
Tree-protection condition
A decision notice may require detailed protection or methodology to be approved before the relevant works begin.
Work close to RPAs
Excavation, surfacing, foundations or access close to retained trees may need a clearly described and coordinated method.
Drainage or utilities near trees
Routes and installation methods may need arboricultural coordination where root disturbance is a material concern.
Supervised sensitive operations
Some works may require consultant attendance, records or hold points where arboricultural judgement is needed on site.
An AMS does not itself authorise work to start.
If permission contains a pre-commencement condition requiring written approval, that condition must be dealt with through the appropriate planning route before works governed by it commence.
Where the AMS sits in the BS5837 process
Survey → AIA → TPP → AMS → supervision.
These documents do different jobs. The correct combination depends on the project and planning stage, so an AMS should not simply duplicate an earlier report.
BS5837 Tree Survey
Records the relevant trees and the arboricultural context of the site.
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
Explains the relationship between the proposed design and retained, removed or affected trees.
Tree Protection Plan
Shows where barriers, exclusion areas and other protection measures are located.
Arboricultural Method Statement
Explains how relevant operations are to be undertaken near retained trees.
Arboricultural Supervision
Provides consultant attendance or records where required by the agreed strategy.
What a professional AMS can include
What does an Arboricultural Method Statement include?
Not every project needs every item below. The AMS should be proportionate and site-specific, covering the operations that genuinely interact with retained trees and the planning requirements.
Fencing & exclusion areas
Barrier locations, sequencing, controlled access and any restrictions on when protection can be altered.
Temporary access & working areas
Measures for protecting soil and rooting areas where pedestrian, plant or vehicle movement is proposed.
Removal of existing structures
Controlled demolition, slab removal, foundation removal and access where retained trees are close to the work.
Digging near retained roots
Hand excavation, supervised excavation, root discovery procedures and limits on mechanical excavation where relevant.
Drainage & utilities
Preferred routes, trenching controls and coordination with project designers where services pass close to retained trees.
Surfacing & no-dig approaches
Arboricultural principles for reduced-dig or no-dig surfacing where such an approach is part of the accepted design.
Construction close to trees
Relevant arboricultural controls around foundations, piles or other construction elements where the approved design needs them.
Storage, compounds & plant
Restrictions on materials, washout, plant movement, temporary compounds and activities that could damage rooting areas.
Hold points & records
Operations requiring consultant attendance, notification, photographs or records before the next work stage proceeds.
Construction Exclusion Zones & Root Protection Areas
Two related ideas that should not be treated as identical.
The RPA is an arboricultural planning tool. The Construction Exclusion Zone is the practical area intended to be protected from unauthorised construction activity. A project-specific AMS should explain how the approved strategy is implemented on the ground.
Root Protection Area (RPA)
The RPA helps inform the minimum rooting area that should be considered when designing and planning works around retained trees. Site-specific conditions, actual root distribution and the approved development context remain important.
- Used during design and impact assessment
- Usually shown on arboricultural drawings
- Helps identify where construction conflicts may arise
- Does not mean every square metre contains the same roots
Construction Exclusion Zone (CEZ)
The CEZ is the area to be protected from unauthorised activity during works. It may be defined by barriers, ground protection, controlled access or other measures shown in the approved strategy.
- Relevant to contractors and site management
- Should be clear before enabling works begin
- Storage and plant movement may be restricted
- Changes should follow the approved planning route
Construction methods near retained trees
Typical operations that may need a site-specific method.
The correct method depends on the tree, site, approved design and engineering requirements. An AMS should coordinate arboricultural controls with the relevant design disciplines rather than pretending to replace them.
| Operation | Arboricultural concern | What the AMS may need to define | Other coordination |
|---|---|---|---|
| DemolitionStructures close to trees | Root, stem or crown damage during removal. | Sequence, access, machinery position and supervised limits. | Demolition contractor and structural requirements. |
| ExcavationWork in or near RPAs | Root severance and soil disturbance. | Hand-dig or controlled excavation method, root discovery protocol and supervision. | Engineer, contractor and approved design. |
| Drainage & utilitiesTrenches and service routes | Linear excavation can intercept significant roots. | Preferred routes, controlled methods and hold points. | Drainage, utility and civil design. |
| Hard surfacingDriveways, paths and parking | Excavation, compaction and changes to soil conditions. | Reduced-dig/no-dig principles, edge details and construction sequence where appropriate. | Pavement and engineering design. |
| FoundationsBuilding elements close to trees | Excavation and root loss. | Arboricultural limits, supervised operations and tree-protection sequencing. | Structural and geotechnical design. |
| Temporary accessPlant and deliveries | Soil compaction and physical damage. | Route, ground protection, loading restrictions and duration. | Site logistics and contractor management. |
Planning-condition wording matters
The wording tells you what must happen and when.
The safest starting point is the exact decision notice or planning request. Small differences in wording can change whether information is required before commencement, before demolition, before a particular operation or as part of a wider discharge package.
Pre-commencement
Approval may be required before relevant work starts
The AMS may form part of the information that needs written approval before works governed by the condition commence.
Protection setup
Barriers may need to be installed before enabling works
The condition may specify timing, inspection, photographs or approval of tree-protection measures before demolition or construction.
Specific operations
Certain works may need their own method
Excavation, surfacing, services, foundations or access can require more detail where they interact with retained trees.
Supervision
Consultant attendance may be tied to defined stages
The condition or approved AMS may identify hold points where arboricultural supervision or records are required.
Variations
Site changes can affect the approved tree strategy
If the contractor wants to move fencing, reroute services or change a method, check whether arboricultural or planning approval is required before implementation.
AMS for planning-condition discharge
Turn the condition wording into a deliverable plan.
Where an Arboricultural Method Statement is required by condition, the submission should respond to the wording actually imposed. It may also need a Tree Protection Plan, supervision details or other supporting information.
Read the condition
Identify the trigger, documents requested, approval mechanism and any specific construction or supervision requirements.
Check the approved drawings
Make sure the AMS and TPP relate to the current approved scheme rather than a superseded design revision.
Prepare the site-specific information
Set out the protection, sequence, methods and supervision relevant to the actual construction operations.
Cross-reference the drawings
The written method and Tree Protection Plan should use consistent revisions, labels and protection terminology.
Submit through the correct route
The project team or planning agent can submit the required information in accordance with the permission and authority process.
Brief the site team after approval
The approved documents should then be issued to the contractor and incorporated into construction planning.
Roles & responsibilities
The AMS works best when every discipline stays in its lane.
Arboricultural methodology should coordinate with the project team. It does not replace engineering, architectural, drainage, demolition or contractor design responsibilities.
Tree protection & methodology
Defines arboricultural constraints, site-specific protection principles, sensitive-operation requirements and supervision where relevant.
Design coordination
Coordinates the approved development layout and revisions with the arboricultural information and wider design team.
Technical design
Provides the structural, drainage, pavement, utility or geotechnical design required for the relevant construction element.
Implementation
Briefs the site team, follows the approved sequence and protection measures, and raises proposed variations before they are implemented.
Arboricultural supervision & monitoring
Some operations need more than written instructions.
Supervision can be useful where the planning condition, approved AMS or sensitive operation requires arboricultural judgement on site. The exact attendance should be proportionate to the risk and agreed scope.
Protection inspection
Check that fencing, exclusion areas or ground protection are in the intended position before the relevant construction stage begins.
Sensitive excavation
Attend operations where roots may be encountered and the approved method requires arboricultural input or a defined hold point.
Site notes & evidence
Photographs or concise supervision records can document what was observed and the advice provided during the agreed attendance.
TPOs, conservation areas & retained trees
Construction methodology does not replace tree-protection controls.
Tree Preservation Orders, conservation-area controls and planning conditions are separate considerations. An AMS should work within the approved planning position rather than being treated as permission for unrelated tree work.
Protected trees
Where retained trees are protected, proposed work to the trees themselves may require a separate application, notice or other planning route depending on the circumstances. The AMS is concerned with implementing the development methodology around those trees.
Approved development
If development has already been permitted, follow the decision notice, approved plans and any arboricultural conditions. Proposed variations should be checked before site teams depart from the approved strategy.
Common AMS mistakes
Avoid the gaps that create planning or site friction.
A method statement should be usable by the contractor and consistent with the planning permission. Generic wording and outdated drawings are common reasons a technically plausible document becomes difficult to implement.
Generic template wording
A method that does not refer to the actual layout, operations and tree constraints gives the site team little useful direction.
Outdated drawings
Protection and methodology based on superseded plans can conflict with the approved construction layout.
No contractor handover
A strong PDF is ineffective if demolition, groundwork and site-management teams never see or understand it.
Unclear supervision points
If sensitive work needs consultant attendance, the programme should identify when notice is required and what activity is being observed.
Ignoring drainage or services
Late service routes can introduce new excavation within tree-sensitive areas even when the building layout itself is acceptable.
Uncontrolled site changes
Moving fencing, access or working methods without checking the arboricultural and planning implications can undermine the approved strategy.
How the AMS service works
How does the AMS process work?
Send the condition & drawings
Use the form above or email the decision notice, approved plans, existing tree information and contractor questions.
Review the actual requirement
The condition, design, existing BS5837 information and likely construction interactions are reviewed before the scope is confirmed.
Prepare the method & drawings
The agreed AMS and any related Tree Protection Plan or supporting information are prepared around the actual project.
Support implementation
Where required, the work can continue into arboricultural supervision, site records or advice on proposed construction-stage variations.
Real construction-stage scenarios
The right method depends on what is actually being built.
The same AMS template should not be applied to every site. These examples show why the methodology needs to follow the actual conflict and construction sequence.
Driveway or parking within an RPA
The method may need to address excavation limits, ground protection, surface build-up, edge restraint, levels and the order in which protection is removed or replaced.
Drainage route close to retained trees
Tree-sensitive sections may require route changes, controlled excavation, supervised work or coordination with the drainage designer before the trench is opened.
Demolition beside a retained tree
Plant location, pull direction, slab removal and access can all matter where demolition activity sits close to the stem or rooting area.
Foundation or pile construction near trees
The arboricultural method should coordinate with the engineer’s design and define the tree-protection sequence, excavation controls and any supervision required by the approved strategy.
Contractor handover
The AMS should survive the site handover.
A technically correct report can still fail operationally if the people carrying out the works do not know which document is current, where the protection sits or which activities need arboricultural attendance.
Issue the latest AMS and TPP
Superseded revisions should be removed from circulation so contractors are not following conflicting protection layouts.
Brief the site manager before enabling works
Tree restrictions should be understood before demolition, excavators, deliveries and temporary compounds arrive.
Mark supervised operations in the programme
Hold points should be planned rather than discovered on the morning the work is due to start.
Include relevant subcontractors
Groundworkers, drainage teams, landscapers, utility installers and demolition crews can all affect retained trees.
Control variations
Check the arboricultural and planning implications before moving fencing, rerouting services or changing a construction method.
Watch the AMS briefing
What an Arboricultural Method Statement actually does on site.
A short Arbor Cultural briefing on turning planning requirements into construction-stage instructions for protecting retained trees around demolition, access, excavation, services and building work.
Useful starting point
Send the exact planning-condition wording and the latest approved drawings. That makes it easier to determine whether the project needs an AMS alone or a wider package including a TPP or supervision.
Arboricultural Method Statement cost
How much does an Arboricultural Method Statement cost?
A simple AMS using reliable existing tree information is different from a constrained construction site needing revised protection drawings, service coordination, complex methodology and multiple supervised operations.
Main scope factors
- Complexity of the planning condition
- Whether reliable BS5837 information already exists
- Whether a Tree Protection Plan needs preparing or revising
- Number and complexity of construction interactions
- Quality and revision status of available drawings
- Need for site visit or updated survey information
- Whether supervision or construction-stage records are required
You do not need a perfect information pack
Start with what you already have. The condition and approved drawings are usually more useful than trying to describe the requirement from memory.
Decision notice
Condition wording
Approved drawings
Tree survey / AIA
Tree Protection Plan
Site photographs
Contractor question
Project programme
Verified client feedback
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Arboricultural Method Statements across London & the South East
Construction-stage arboricultural support across the wider South East.
Arbor Cultural supports AMS, Tree Protection Plan and construction-stage arboricultural work across Greater London, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Select a region to see the named locations represented in the current service coverage.
Constrained urban sites
Basements, demolition, access, neighbouring trees and close construction relationships can create detailed methodology requirements.
Residential & development sites
Mature trees, access changes, hard landscape and Green Belt or village settings can create practical tree-protection considerations.
Planning & construction stage
Projects can require detailed protection, drainage, access or supervision methods as they move from permission into construction.
Urban, coastal & sloping sites
Levels, retaining structures, access and mature trees can make buildability around retained trees an important AMS issue.
Town, village & larger schemes
Construction-stage arboricultural requirements can range from simple protection setup to complex controlled operations.
From planning conditions to site supervision
AMS work can continue into implementation where sensitive excavation or protection measures need arboricultural input.
Constrained plots & redevelopment
Mature tree stock and tight layouts can require careful coordination between the AMS, TPP and construction design.
Village, suburban & larger sites
Access, services and construction methodology may all need to reflect the approved tree-retention strategy.
Urban, village & edge-of-town development
Project-specific methodology can help translate planning-stage tree commitments into practical construction controls.
Surrey
Abinger HammerAddlestoneAlburyAshAshteadBagshotBansteadBetchworthBisleyBookhamBramleyBrockhamByfleetCamberleyCaterhamChertseyChipsteadChobhamClaygateCobhamComptonCranleighDorkingEast MoleseyEffinghamEghamEnglefield GreenEpsomEsherEwellFarncombeFarnhamFetchamFrimleyGodalmingGodstoneGreat BookhamGuildfordHaslemereHershamHindheadHorleyKingswoodLeatherheadLightwaterLingfieldMersthamMilfordNew HawOttershawOxtedOxshottPirbrightRedhillReigateRipleySendShalfordSheppertonSmallfieldStaines-upon-ThamesSunbury-on-ThamesSurbitonTadworthThames DittonVirginia WaterWalton-on-ThamesWarlinghamWest ByfleetWest MoleseyWeybridgeWindleshamWokingWoldinghamWoodham
West Sussex
AngmeringArundelBillingshurstBognor RegisBoshamBroadbridge HeathBurgess HillChichesterCopthorneCrawleyCuckfieldEast GrinsteadEast PrestonFelphamFernhurstFishbourneHassocksHaywards HeathHenfieldHorshamHurstpierpointLancingLindfieldLittlehamptonLoxwoodMiddleton-on-SeaMidhurstPetworthPulboroughRustingtonSayers CommonSelseyShoreham-by-SeaSouthbourneSouthwaterSouthwickSteyningStorringtonTangmereWorthing
East Sussex
AlfristonBattleBexhill-on-SeaBrightonCrowboroughDitchlingEast DeanEastbourneForest RowHailshamHastingsHeathfieldHoveHurst GreenLewesMayfieldNewhavenNewickPeacehavenPevenseyPolegateRingmerRobertsbridgeRyeSaltdeanSeafordTelscombeUckfieldWadhurstWinchelsea
Greater London
ActonBalhamBarking and DagenhamBarnesBarnetBatterseaBeckenhamBelgraviaBelsize ParkBexleyBlackheathBrentBrixtonBromleyCamdenCanary WharfChelseaChessingtonChislehurstChiswickCity of LondonClaphamCroydonDeptfordDulwichEalingElthamEnfieldFinchleyFulhamGreenwichHackneyHammersmithHammersmith and FulhamHampsteadHaringeyHarrowHaveringHayesHendonHighgateHillingdonHounslowIlfordIslingtonKensington and ChelseaKewKingston upon ThamesKnightsbridgeLambethLewishamLeytonMaryleboneMayfairMertonMill HillMortlakeMuswell HillNew MaldenNewhamNotting HillOrpingtonPeckhamPengePutneyPutney HeathRaynes ParkRedbridgeRichmond upon ThamesRuislipSidcupSouthallSouthwarkStreathamSuttonTeddingtonTootingTolworthTower HamletsTwickenhamUxbridgeWaltham ForestWandsworthWestminsterWimbledonWoolwichWorcester Park
Kent
AshfordAylesfordBirchington-on-SeaBroadstairsCanterburyChathamCranbrookDartfordDealDittonDoverEdenbridgeFavershamFolkestoneGillinghamGravesendHerne BayHytheLyddMaidstoneMargateMinsterNorthfleetPaddock WoodQueenboroughRainhamRamsgateRochesterRoyal Tunbridge WellsSandwichSevenoaksSheernessSittingbourneSnodlandSouthboroughSwanleyTenterdenTonbridgeWest MallingWesterhamWhitstable
Hampshire
AldershotAltonAndoverBasingstokeBishop's WalthamBordonEastleighEmsworthFarehamFarnboroughFleetFordingbridgeGosportHartley WintneyHavantHedge EndHookKingsclereLee-on-the-SolentLiphookLissLocks HeathLymingtonNew MiltonOdihamPetersfieldPortsmouthRingwoodRomseySouthamptonSouthseaStockbridgeTadleyTottonWaterloovilleWhitchurchWinchesterYateley
Berkshire
ArborfieldAscotBinfieldBracknellBrayBurghfieldCookhamCrowthorneDatchetEarleyFinchampsteadHungerfordKintburyLambournLangleyMaidenheadNewburyPangbourneReadingSandhurstSloughSunningdaleThatchamThealeTilehurstTwyfordWarfieldWindsorWokinghamWoodley
Buckinghamshire
AmershamAylesburyBeaconsfieldBletchleyBourne EndBuckinghamBurnhamChalfont St GilesChalfont St PeterCheshamGerrards CrossGreat MissendenHaddenhamHigh WycombeIverMarlowMilton KeynesNewport PagnellOlneyPrinces RisboroughStony StratfordWendoverWinslowWolverton
Oxfordshire
Abingdon-on-ThamesBamptonBanburyBensonBicesterBurfordCartertonCharlburyChipping NortonDidcotEynshamFaringdonGoring-on-ThamesGroveHenley-on-ThamesKidlingtonOxfordSonning CommonThameWallingfordWantageWatlingtonWheatleyWitneyWoodstock
Arboricultural Method Statement FAQs
Technical questions, plain answers.
If you have a planning condition, decision notice, approved drawing or contractor query, send the wording exactly as issued. You do not need to translate it into arboricultural terminology first.
What is an Arboricultural Method Statement?
An AMS is a site-specific document describing how relevant demolition and construction operations will be carried out while protecting retained trees and implementing the agreed arboricultural strategy.
When is an Arboricultural Method Statement required?
It may be requested with a planning application or through a planning condition, particularly where development is close to retained trees and the planning authority needs detail on protection, access, excavation, surfacing, services, supervision or other construction operations.
Is an AMS the same as a Tree Protection Plan?
No. The Tree Protection Plan is primarily the spatial drawing showing protection and controlled working areas. The AMS explains how relevant operations are to be undertaken. They are often used together.
Can an AMS be used to discharge a planning condition?
Yes, where an AMS is among the information required by the condition. The submission must still respond to the exact condition wording and may also need a TPP, supervision details or other information.
Can I start work as soon as the AMS is written?
Not necessarily. If the permission contains a pre-commencement condition requiring written approval from the Local Planning Authority, the relevant condition must be dealt with in accordance with the permission before works governed by that condition commence.
Does an AMS need a new tree survey?
Not always. If reliable, sufficiently current BS5837 information and approved planning documents already exist, they may provide the necessary baseline. If site conditions, trees or proposals have materially changed, further survey or updated information may be appropriate.
What is a Construction Exclusion Zone?
It is the area intended to be protected from unauthorised construction activity around retained trees. The approved strategy may use protective fencing, ground protection or other controls to define and manage it.
Can construction take place inside a Root Protection Area?
Sometimes a planning-approved design requires controlled operations within or close to an RPA. Whether that is acceptable depends on the tree, site, extent of encroachment, proposed method and planning context. The AMS can set out the site-specific method where such work has been accepted in principle.
Does an AMS include no-dig construction?
It can. Where reduced-dig or no-dig surfacing is appropriate, the AMS can explain the arboricultural principles, sequence and protection requirements. Engineering design should still be provided by the relevant designer where needed.
What about drainage and underground services?
Service routes can be a major source of root disturbance. The AMS may identify preferred routes and controlled methods, but drainage and utility design should be coordinated with the relevant project professionals.
When is arboricultural supervision needed?
Supervision may be specified by the planning condition, approved AMS or TPP, or recommended for operations where arboricultural judgement is needed on site. Typical examples can include sensitive excavation, barrier changes or work close to important roots.
Can you update an existing AMS if the design changes?
Yes, but the planning implications of the change need to be understood first. A materially changed design may require updated arboricultural assessment, revised protection information or further approval rather than simply editing the wording of the original AMS.
How long does an AMS take?
Timescale depends on the condition, available drawings, whether an existing survey/TPP can be relied on, site complexity and whether further site work is needed. Your fixed-fee proposal can confirm the expected programme for the specific instruction.
Who should read the Arboricultural Method Statement on site?
At minimum, the principal contractor or site manager should understand the tree-protection requirements relevant to the works. Sensitive requirements should also be communicated to affected subcontractors such as demolition, groundwork, drainage, utility and landscaping teams.
Should the AMS include the Tree Protection Plan drawing?
They are often issued together because the TPP shows where protection and controlled areas are located while the AMS explains the method. Whether they are separate documents or combined within one report is less important than clear cross-referencing and consistent revision control.
Can protective fencing be moved during construction?
Only in accordance with the approved planning/tree-protection strategy. If the AMS or condition requires arboricultural or Local Planning Authority agreement before a change, that agreement should be obtained through the appropriate route before the barrier is moved.
What happens if roots are discovered during supervised excavation?
The response depends on root size, location, tree significance, the approved method and the purpose of the excavation. This is exactly why some operations are identified as arboricultural hold points rather than left to an unplanned decision by the groundworker.
Can the AMS specify hand excavation?
Yes, where hand excavation is appropriate to the operation and planning strategy. However, the method should be proportionate and site-specific; “hand dig everything inside the RPA” is not automatically the correct response to every project.
Can an AMS deal with pile foundations?
It can address the arboricultural constraints, access, excavation limits and protection requirements associated with the foundation strategy. The structural design and calculations for piled foundations remain the responsibility of the appropriate engineer.
Can an AMS cover cellular confinement or no-dig surfacing?
Yes. The arboricultural document can set out the principles, sequencing and tree-protection requirements for a reduced-dig or no-dig surface. Loading, pavement design and detailed engineering may still require specialist design input.
What should happen if the contractor wants to change the drainage route?
The arboricultural implications should be checked before the new route is excavated. A route that moves into an RPA may require an alternative method, updated drawing, supervision or further planning approval depending on the approved documents and condition wording.
Are tree-protection signs useful?
They can be. Signs attached to protective barriers can help communicate that an area is a protected tree zone and should not be entered, altered or used for storage without authorisation. They are a communication aid rather than a substitute for correctly installed physical protection.
Does the AMS need to address material storage and cement washout?
Where relevant, yes. Tree protection is not limited to root severance. Storage, soil compaction, contamination, washout, fires and changes in site use can all be relevant to retained-tree protection.
Can you review an AMS prepared by another consultant?
Potentially, yes. If a project has changed hands or the council has raised comments, send the existing AMS, Tree Protection Plan, decision notice and latest drawings so the required review can be scoped properly.
Can an AMS support a retrospective planning problem?
Sometimes arboricultural evidence can help explain a current site situation, but an AMS cannot retrospectively undo damage or automatically regularise a planning breach. The appropriate response depends on what has happened, the planning status and what the Local Planning Authority requires.
Do you cover Surrey, London, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent?
Yes. Arbor Cultural provides arboricultural planning and construction-stage consultancy across those areas and the wider South East. Send the site postcode if you want us to confirm coverage.
Planning condition or construction-stage tree issue?
Get an AMS built around the actual site and condition.
Use the form above or email the decision notice and drawings you already have. Arbor Cultural can review the likely professional scope before you instruct.
No obligation · Consultant reviewed · London & South East