Understanding the difference between Ancient woodland habbitat assesments and tree surveys.

BS5837:2012 Tree Assessments and Habitat Assessments for Ancient Woodland are two different types of assessments serving different purposes. It is crucial that prospective clients understand the differences between them in order that the appropriate advice is obtained to support your planning application.

BS5837:2012 Tree Assessments for Development Clients:

If you are a Property Developer planning to work in an area with trees, you may require a BS5837:2012 Tree Assessment. It is a requirement of Local Planning Authorities to identify trees that may be affected by your development plans. This assessment includes a Tree Survey, Tree Constraints Plan, and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. Its purpose is to identify trees to be retained and protected during development and provide guidance on how to protect them. The BS5837:2012 Tree Assessment is a crucial step in the planning process and can prevent costly delays and issues during construction.

Habitat Assessments for Ancient Woodland:

Ancient Woodland is a unique and rare habitat that needs special consideration before any work in the area. Habitat Assessments for Ancient Woodland determine the ecological value of the area and identify any protected species. It includes a survey and report that outlines the potential impacts of proposed work. The assessment's goal is to prevent harm to the ecological value of the woodland and protect any protected species. While we do not provide ecological consultancy services, we have worked with many consultants that we can recommend.

Implications for Your Project:

As a Tree Consultant, I have extensive experience in BS5837:2012 Tree Assessments for Development Clients in proximity to Ancient Woodland. It is essential to understand that Habitat Assessments for Ancient Woodland are the responsibility of ecological consultants because they provide specific advice on the protection of the woodland. I can provide clients with accurate and relevant advice on individual tree impacts based on their specific needs and requirements. However, if you require advice on habitat classifications, such as Ancient Woodland, you should engage the services of an ecological consultant.

If you are still unsure of what you require, we would be happy to discuss your specific requirements to help you ascertain if you require arboricultural and/or ecological input for your project.

Building Strong Foundations: NHBC's Recommendations for Building Near Trees

The NHBC (National House Building Council) foundation guidance provides recommendations and standards for the design and construction of foundations in residential buildings in the UK. It covers a range of foundation types, including strip, trench-fill, and raft foundations, as well as pile foundations and ground improvement techniques.

Get Accurate NHBC Foundation Design Information with Our Tree Surveying Services

The NHBC foundation guidance sets out the minimum requirements for foundation design and construction, as well as providing best practice advice to help ensure that the foundations are suitable for the specific site conditions, building type, and intended use. It also covers issues such as site investigation, soil testing, site preparation, and site drainage.

In addition to the general foundation guidance, NHBC also provides specific guidance for foundations near trees, which is designed to help ensure that the foundations are not adversely affected by the growth of trees and their roots, and to help protect trees from damage during the construction process.

The aim of the NHBC foundation guidance is to ensure that new residential buildings are constructed on solid and stable foundations, providing a safe and durable structure for occupants, and protecting against defects and damage over the lifetime of the building.

Designing, Protecting, and Removing Trees for Safe and Stable Residential Construction

When building near trees, hedgerows, or shrubs, it is important to take into account their physical growth, as well as the protection of any remaining vegetation and the removal of existing trees and hedgerows. The National House Building Council (NHBC) has put forward a set of recommendations for the specification of foundations near trees, which must be followed to ensure the safety and stability of the development.

Before any work can begin on a site, a survey should be carried out to record the location, heights, and species of trees, hedgerows, and shrubs on and adjacent to the site, which may affect the proposed development. If the location of previously removed vegetation is not known, local enquiries and reference to aerial photographs should be carried out. An engineer may also need to be consulted to undertake a site-specific design based on all relevant information and in accordance with Technical Requirement R5.

One of the major concerns when building near trees is the damage that can be caused by their growth and roots. To avoid this, structures and services should be located at a safe distance from the trees. If this is not possible, precautions should be taken to allow for future growth, such as reinforcing foundations to resist lateral forces, bridging walls or structural slabs over the roots, allowing sufficient clearance, or reinforcing to avoid cracking, and laying paving and other surfaces on a flexible base to allow for some movement.

Roots often extend to distances in excess of the height of the tree, the majority of which are within 600mm of the surface and project radially. All parts of the system are easily susceptible to damage, which may not regenerate and can affect the stability of the tree. Damage can be caused by stripping topsoil too close to trees, excavating trenches for foundations and services too close to trees, raising soil levels adjacent to trees (particularly where non-granular materials are used), the compaction of soil around trees by heavy plant, the storage of heavy materials around trees, and covering the rooting area with impervious surfaces.

To protect the remaining trees and hedgerows, a fence or barrier should be erected around a single trunk equivalent to a circle of radius 12 times the trunk diameter measured 1.5m above ground level. The shape of this area may change depending on specific factors such as local drainage, soil type, age, and species of the tree, and an arboriculturist may be required to assess these factors. Services should be routed away from trees, or where this is not possible, installed in such a way as to minimize root damage.

In some cases, statutory requirements, planning conditions, conservation area restrictions, or tree preservation orders may result in protected trees and hedgerows being retained. The local planning authority should always be consulted to ensure compliance with any relevant regulations. Dead trees and hedgerows should be removed, and unstable trees should be made steady or felled. Specialist advice should be obtained from a tree consultant if necessary.

In conclusion, building near trees, hedgerows, or shrubs requires careful planning and consideration. The NHBC recommendations for the specification of foundations near trees should be followed to ensure the safety and stability of the development, and to protect the remaining trees and hedgerows. By taking these precautions, it is possible to create a development that coexists harmoniously with the natural environment, providing long-term benefits for both the residents and the surrounding ecosystem.

NHBC Foundation Design: Get Precise Tree Surveying Data with Our Dedicated Assessment Services

It is worth noting that a BS5837:2012 survey can also provide the necessary information for NHBC foundation design. However, if you prefer to commission a dedicated assessment solely for the purpose of meeting NHBC requirements, our tree surveying services can help you collect the precise data needed for this purpose. By choosing to work with us, you can have peace of mind knowing that your development project is in compliance with NHBC standards, and that the safety and stability of your structures are assured. So if you need a tree survey for your upcoming project, we are here to provide you with a range of expert services tailored to your specific requirements. Please contact us to learn more about how we can help you.

Download THE guidance today:

Adhering to NHBC's foundation guidance is crucial for constructing safe and long-lasting residential buildings in the UK. The guidance offers a comprehensive set of recommendations and best practices for the design and construction of foundations, including specific guidelines for building near trees. By implementing these guidelines, developers can ensure that their structures are robust and protected from the effects of tree growth, while also preserving trees and hedgerows on the construction site. If you are interested in accessing the NHBC foundation guidance documents, please visit the official NHBC website, where you will find a wealth of resources available for download.

Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Trees in England

Tree Preservation Orders and conservation area protection is used to protect trees that contribute to the amenity value of an area. Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) are used to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands, while trees in conservation areas are protected by special rules that apply to the areas in which they are located.

Understanding Tree Preservation Orders: Regulations, Prohibitions, and Conditions EXPLAINED

The law on Tree Preservation Orders is covered in Part VIII of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012. A TPO is an order made by a local planning authority to protect trees in the interests of amenity. It prohibits the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage, wilful destruction or cutting roots of trees without the local planning authority's written consent. If consent is given, it may be subject to conditions that must be followed. Owners of protected trees must not carry out or permit the carrying out of any of the prohibited activities without the written consent of the local authority.

Criteria, Initiation, and Planning Permission Obligations

When deciding whether an Order is appropriate, authorities take into account the meaning of 'amenity' and how it is assessed, what 'expedient' means in practice, what trees can be protected and how they can be identified. Local planning authorities can initiate the process of making a TPO or respond to a request made by any other party. When granting planning permission, authorities have a duty to ensure, whenever appropriate, that planning conditions are used to provide for tree preservation and planting. Orders should be made in respect of trees where it appears necessary in connection with the grant of permission.

Owners of protected trees are responsible for maintaining their trees, but the local planning authority cannot require maintenance work to be done to a tree just because it is protected. However, the authority can encourage good tree management, particularly when determining applications for consent under a TPO. Arboricultural advice from competent contractors and consultants, or the authority, will help to inform tree owners of their responsibilities and options. It is important that trees are inspected regularly and necessary maintenance carried out to ensure they remain safe and healthy.

When a Tree Preservation Order is made, the local planning authority is required to inform anyone with an interest in the land, including the owner of the trees, that the Order has been made. The public has the opportunity to comment on newly made TPOs. The authority will consider any comments received before deciding whether to confirm the Order.

Tree Protection and Conservation Laws: What You Need to Know

A TPO can be varied or revoked by the local planning authority if they are satisfied that it is no longer necessary to protect the trees or woodland covered by the Order. If an owner wishes to carry out work on a tree protected by a TPO, they must make an application to the local planning authority. If the application is refused, they can appeal against the decision. In certain circumstances, compensation may be payable if the refusal to consent to work causes a loss or damage.

Trees in conservation areas are protected by special rules that apply to the areas in which they are located. Anyone proposing to carry out work on a tree in a conservation area is required to give written notice to the local planning authority. This notice must be given six weeks before the work is due to start. During this six-week period, the authority will decide whether to make a TPO on the tree. If a TPO is made, the proposed work will require the authority's written consent.

Enforcement action can be taken against anyone who carries out work on a protected tree without the necessary consent. If a protected tree is lost or destroyed, it may be necessary to replace it. The local planning authority can require the replacement of protected trees, and conditions can be attached to the consent to ensure that the new trees are of appropriate size and species.

As a consultant offering professional tree assessment services, I have extensive knowledge of the regulations and laws governing Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). With my expertise, I can assist property owners, developers, and local planning authorities in understanding the intricacies of TPOs and how they can affect their projects. If you are looking for a reliable and experienced consultant to help you navigate the complexities of TPOs and avoid potential legal issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch.