Arboriculture & Development
Over the last 30 years, trees have been incorporated more and more into the development process and are now widely recognised by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) as a key consideration when deliberating over planning applications.
Changes in legislation brought about the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) as a means of protecting valuable trees suspected to be at risk of damage or felling, often as a result of development. Trees were also incorporated into Conservation Area legislation, requiring a decision notice for any proposal to fell trees in Conservation Areas, thereby providing a further degree of protection.
More recently, the majority of LPAs have adopted the proviso that planning applications should result in a net gain for biodiversity. In terms of trees, this places greater emphasis on retaining existing trees within design layouts, or providing a robust replanting regime.
Our experience, knowledge and skills
Nicholsons are proud to offer a full range of arboricultural services with respect to planning and development. Our team of Arboricultural Consultants, based in North Aston and Corby, are well-versed in carrying out surveys and preparing arboricultural reports to supplement planning applications.
Members of our team have brought a wealth of experience from many different avenues of arboriculture, including tree surgery, tree officer work for councils and small-scale independent consultancy. The team itself continues to grow as we embrace the challenges and opportunities of incorporating trees more fully into the planning process.
Benefits of our services for clients and their projects
In this respect, we can provide a wide range of arboricultural services, all in accordance with British Standards 5837:2012 ‘Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction’.
From initial baseline surveys through assessments of potential impacts on trees and guidance on appropriate working methodologies and right through the development process to providing on-the-ground supervision of construction works in proximity to trees.
We are always keen to enter the design and planning process with a new client as early as possible. This helps us provide arboricultural input into the design process and identify any potential constraints (e.g. higher value or protected trees on site).
By entering the design process at the early stages, we are able to liaise with architects and designers to pre-empt potential conflicts between trees and development which may cause problems later in the planning process.
We can also identify opportunities for enhancement and incorporation of arboricultural features into a design layout. As vital as it is to retain trees, how much more rewarding on top it is to display those trees proudly as centrepieces of a new development?
