Pre-Development Tree Survey – The first step in complying with BS5837

Your first step in complying with BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations is to commission a Pre-Development Tree Survey. The Pre-Development Tree Survey is required as part of your planning application. However, if you don’t need planning permission for your development, it will be essential to inform your design layout.

Over the years I’ve carried out hundreds, if not thousands, of Pre-Development Tree Surveys. Working from the topographical survey you supply me with, I’ll inspect the individual trees, groups, hedges and woodlands within the site and off site within close proximity to the boundary. I’ll take appropriate measurements and provide comments and recommendations for each arboricultural feature surveyed before assessing the quality and value of each tree, tree group, hedge or woodland.

What I’ll need from you

I’ll need a topographical survey of the site showing the accurate position of the trees and hedges on the site and overhanging the site with a stem diameter of over 75mm at 1.5m above ground level.

You will need to instruct a specialist land surveyor to prepare your topographical survey for you. As well as being needed to carry out the tree survey, your architect will need it when designing the development. The topographical survey will show the contours of the ground on the site, together with the exact position of existing features such as trees, hedges, walls, buildings, roads and paths, manholes, services and telegraph and electricity poles.

What you’ll receive from me

You’ll receive a detailed Pre-Development Tree Survey document including a calculation of the root protection area for the arboricultural features I’ve surveyed, accompanied by a marked up copy of the topographical survey to enable you to prepare the Tree Constraints Plan.

The root protection area is the area around a tree, hedge or group of trees that must be protected during development operations to prevent either direct or indirect damage to retained trees. This will be accurately plotted on the Tree Constraints Plan, together with the existing buildings and proposed development.

If you don’t wish to commission your own Tree Constraints Plan, I can arrange for the preparation of the CAD Tree Constraints Plan drawing if required. Just let me know before I start the work.