Trees and Development

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (in England) place a duty on Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to ensure that adequate provision is made for the protection of trees when considering any new development. The Acts give LPAs the power to ensure tree protection through the use of planning conditions and Tree Preservation Orders

In addition, local plans also include policies relating to trees with requirements to protect existing trees and secure the planting of new ones. Proposed developments which do not take full account of existing trees may be refused consent. 

While the policies of different LPAs vary, most require that the guidance and procedures described in British Standard 5837: 2012 “Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations" be followed closely from the initial design stage through to the completion of the development.

We have extensive experience of providing the full range of arboricultural consultancy services required to assist clients through the design and planning processes, from initial site surveys and appraisals to the satisfactory completion of developments. 

Services include:

  • Site appraisals to determine feasibility of development.
  • Pre-development BS5837 tree surveys & arboricultural assessments
  • GPS/GIS/CAD tree survey/constraints plans
  • Arboricultural Impact Assessments and Method Statements
  • Tree Protection Plans
  • Site supervision and monitoring
  • Negotiation with Local Planning Authorities
  • Expert Witness Representation at Planning Appeals and Public Inquiries

We regularly work as development team members along with planning consultants, architects, engineers, ecologists and landscape architects. 

We have carried out well over one thousand pre-development tree surveys in the past 25 years, for sites ranging from single-storey house extensions through to large-scale, multi-use, multi-occupancy developments. 

We have given expert witness evidence to numerous planning appeal hearings and public inquiries, earning a reputation for being thorough and authoritative in our preparation, and robust under cross-examination.

To learn more about our services and how they can be of benefit to you, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to answer any queries you may have. 


© TCG 2021