“We need a tree survey”
Usually the starting point for understanding trees on and around a proposed development site.
Likely: BS5837 survey / scheduleBS5837 PLANNING · LONDON & SOUTH EAST
Council-Ready BS5837 Tree Reports & Surveys — Request Your Fixed-Fee Quote in 60 Seconds.
Fast 60-second submission. Every site is manually reviewed by an Arbor Cultural consultant against the planning information you provide. You receive a clear fixed-fee proposal before you instruct.
★★★★★ 5.0117+ reviews20+ years
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CAS qualifiedAA professional membership & specialist arboricultural training
20+ yearsPlanning and arboricultural experience across the South East
Experienced with planning submissions across South East local authority areas, including:
ElmbridgeReigate & BansteadTandridgeGuildfordWokingCrawleyHorshamBrighton & HoveSevenoaksTunbridge Wells
Start with the planning problem, not a report name
What has planning actually asked you for?
You do not need to know the difference between a tree survey, AIA, TPP, AMS or supervision before you contact us. Tell us what you have been asked for and we can scope the likely requirement.
“Show the impact of the design”
Planning may need the relationship between the proposed layout, retained trees, removals and mitigation explained.
Likely: survey + TCP + AIA“Show how trees will be protected”
Construction-stage information may be needed for fencing, access, excavation, sequencing or work near retained trees.
Likely: TPP / AMS“Discharge this tree condition”
An approved scheme may still need specific arboricultural details, methods or monitoring before or during work.
Likely: condition-specific scope
The BS5837 planning pathway
The right document depends on where your project is now.
A planning application can involve several arboricultural stages. Some sites need only the early survey information; others need additional impact, protection or construction-stage documents.
Tree Survey
Records the relevant trees, dimensions, condition and BS5837 category information.
TCP
Maps crowns, Root Protection Areas and tree constraints for the design team.
AIA
Assesses how the proposed design interacts with retained trees and tree constraints.
TPP
Shows practical tree-protection zones and measures for the construction stage.
AMS
Sets out methods and sequencing where work needs specific arboricultural controls.
Supervision
Consultant attendance or monitoring where the agreed method or condition requires it.
You do not automatically need all six stages.
Your quote should reflect the actual application stage, the planning wording and the information already available — not a generic package.
A faster way to get the right quote
Paste the wording. We’ll help decode it.
Council, architect and developer requests are not always written using the exact report names. That should not force you to guess what to buy.
Example request
“Please provide a tree survey and arboricultural assessment in relation to the proposed development.”
You should not have to decide from that sentence alone whether the submission needs a survey, TCP, AIA, TPP, AMS or a combination.
What Arbor Cultural does next
Check the wording, available drawings, project context and existing tree information.
A consultant then confirms the professional scope and fixed-fee proposal before you instruct the work.
What your professional scope can include
BS5837 information built for the planning stage you are at.
The exact combination varies by site. The fixed-fee proposal identifies the agreed deliverables so you can see what you are paying for before work starts.
✓
BS5837 Tree Survey & Schedule
Relevant tree references, species, dimensions, condition, life stage, remaining contribution and categorisation where required.
Evidence-gathering stage✓
Tree Constraints Plan
Mapped crowns, Root Protection Areas and other tree constraints presented so the project team can design around them.
Design / feasibility information✓
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
Assessment of the proposed design’s direct and indirect effects on retained trees, removals, pruning and mitigation.
Planning / design assessment✓
Tree Protection Plan
Clear protective zones, fencing and construction-stage controls for retained trees where required.
Protection information✓
Arboricultural Method Statement
Practical methods and sequencing for works near trees, including excavation, access and other sensitive operations.
Construction methodology✓
Supervision & Condition Support
Consultant attendance, monitoring or condition-specific information where the approved method or planning condition calls for it.
Later planning / site stage
A simple route from enquiry to instruction01 02 03 04
Four clear steps. No technical knowledge required.
The form is deliberately short at the start, then asks only the information needed to understand the site and planning request.
Start with your email
Your email is captured first so the quote request can be kept connected while you continue.
Tell us what planning needs
Choose any report names you recognise or paste the wording you have been sent. Add plans or existing reports if useful.
Consultant reviews the scope
The project information is checked and the likely professional requirement is confirmed before pricing.
Receive the fixed-fee proposal
You can see the agreed scope and fee before deciding whether to instruct the survey or report work.
Independent client feedback
★★★★★
5.0 · 117+ verified reviewsPlanning work often sits on a live project programme. Clear communication, sensible scope and professional delivery matter as much as the technical report itself.
READ VERIFIED REVIEWS →★★★★★“Very knowledgeable and easy to work with. Highly recommend.”
Ben Eustace · CGA Design & Build Ltd · verified review
★★★★★“Excellent service with a quick turnaround.”
Amir Faizollahi · verified review
London & the South East
Local planning work across Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire & London.
We work across a wide range of local planning authority areas. Coverage is a service area, not a claim that any council endorses or guarantees an application.
Physical offices: West Molesey and Crawley. Brighton and Waterlooville are regional contact hubs.
ElmbridgeReigate & BansteadTandridge
GuildfordWokingSurrey Heath
CrawleyHorshamMid Sussex
Brighton & HoveChichesterWorthing
KingstonRichmondCroydon
SevenoaksTunbridge WellsTonbridge & Malling
PortsmouthWinchesterEast Hampshire
Before you request a quote
BS5837 planning questions answered.
If your question is specific to wording you have received, the fastest route is usually to paste that wording into the form above.
Do I need a BS5837 tree survey for planning permission?
Many development proposals involving trees require arboricultural information, but the exact requirement depends on the site, proposal and planning request. If you have wording from the council or project team, send it with the enquiry so the likely scope can be checked.
What is the difference between a BS5837 survey and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?
The survey records the relevant trees and their characteristics. An AIA considers how a proposed design affects those trees and tree constraints. Depending on the project, both may be required as part of the planning information.
What if I do not know whether I need an AIA, TPP, AMS or TCP?
You do not need to know the report name before requesting a quote. Paste the wording you have been given or describe what planning has asked for; a consultant can confirm the likely combination before pricing.
Can you use an existing tree survey or report?
Potentially. Send the existing document with the latest drawings and planning request. Its age, scope, site changes and current project information will affect whether it remains useful.
Will the council accept the report?
The work is scoped and prepared for the relevant arboricultural planning requirement and local-authority review. No arboricultural consultant can guarantee a planning decision or guarantee how a particular authority will determine an application.
How much does a BS5837 tree survey or report cost?
The fee depends on the site, tree numbers, available drawings, access and which documents are required. That is why we provide a project-specific fixed-fee proposal rather than pretending every site has the same price.
How quickly can the work be completed?
Turnaround depends on survey availability, access, tree numbers, drawings and the required report stage. Add your deadline to the enquiry so the team can confirm what is realistic before you instruct.
Do neighbouring trees need to be considered?
They can. Trees outside the site boundary may still be relevant where their crowns, roots or Root Protection Areas interact with the proposal or construction activity.
Do trees need a Tree Preservation Order to matter for planning?
No. Trees can be relevant to a planning application even where they are not subject to a Tree Preservation Order. TPO and conservation-area status are separate considerations.
Can you help discharge an arboricultural planning condition?
Yes, where the condition requires arboricultural plans, methods, supervision or other tree-related information. Send the exact condition wording so the required discharge-stage work can be scoped.
Ready to stop guessing?
Show us what planning has asked for. We’ll help scope the right BS5837 work.
Start with your email, add the site and any wording or plans you already have, then submit the request without leaving this page.
