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The Ultimate Guide to Sheffield Tree Survey Reports for Planning Applications

When it comes to planning applications in Sheffield that involve trees on your property, having a comprehensive BS5837 tree survey report can make all the difference. Whether you are a homeowner or a developer in the Sheffield area, understanding the significance of these tree survey reports can make for a smoother planning application process and ensure compliance with local tree related planning regulations.

Sheffield is known for being one of the greenest and most wooded cities in Europe and the greenest city in Britain. The city has an estimated 4.5 million trees, which represent over half of all the tree cover in Sheffield’s Urban and Rural Forest. The city’s trees and woodlands are considered one of its finest natural resources, providing a wide range of important benefits for people, making the city a healthier, more attractive place to live, work and play. Sheffield’s trees and woodlands are a key reason the team at AWA Tree Consultants live, work, and play here!

Trees are considered an important factor in planning policies in Sheffield. The presence of mature trees can add significant value to new developments and their retention and protection throughout the development process is considered to be highly desirable.

The impact on existing trees and opportunities to plant new trees are considered as part of the planning application process, and a BS5837 tree survey may be required to inform Sheffield Council’s planning decision.

1. Legal Requirements in Sheffield:

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (section 197) imposes a specific duty on the local planning authorities with a specific duty ‘to ensure, whenever it is appropriate that, in granting planning permission for any development, adequate provision is made by the imposition of conditions for the preservation or planting of trees’.

In Sheffield tree survey reports are often a legal requirement for planning applications. They are essential for ensuring that significant trees are retained where suitable, and that local tree preservation orders are identified.  Sheffield tree survey reports play a vital role in preventing unnecessary damage to trees during construction and development.

2. What is a Sheffield Tree Survey Report for Planning?

A Sheffield tree survey report is a detailed document, that should be prepared by a Chartered Arboriculturist or similarly qualified tree consultant, specifically for your property in the Sheffield area.

A BS5837 tree report, also known as a BS5837 Tree Survey and Report, is a specific type of tree survey and report conducted as part of Sheffield planning applications. Following the guidelines set out in British Standard 5837:2012. This standard, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), provides a framework for assessing trees and their impact on development sites, providing you with essential information for your Sheffield planning application.

3. Benefits of Local Sheffield Tree Survey Reports:

Compliance with Local Sheffield Regulations: Submitting a local tree survey report with your planning application ensures compliance with the specific tree preservation and planning regulations in Sheffield. Sheffield City Council receives approximately 4,000 applications every year for new development across Sheffield, and existing trees within the site and those on adjacent sites can be irreparably damaged by construction work through direct damage (root severance, vehicle damage to trunk or branches) or indirect damage (soil compaction). Therefore, the impact on existing trees and opportunities to plant new trees are considered as part of the application process when necessary, and a tree survey may be required to inform the decision.

Sheffield has specific policies relating to trees and planning. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (section 197) imposes a specific duty on the local planning authorities with a specific duty ‘to ensure, whenever it is appropriate that, in granting planning permission for any development, adequate provision is made by the imposition of conditions for the preservation or planting of trees’.

4. Tree Survey Reports in Sheffield Conservation Areas

Sheffield has 38 Conservation Areas. These are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. All trees over a certain size, growing within these areas are subject to conservation area planning restrictions. Before undertaking work to a tree in a conservation area, a six week notice period of the intended works must be given to the Local Planning Authority. During this period the Local Planning Authority may choose to make a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to prevent works to the tree or decide not to make a TPO and inform the applicant the work can proceed

5. When are Local Tree Survey Reports Required in Sheffield?

Local Construction and Development Projects: For any construction project that may affect trees in Sheffield, local tree survey reports are typically required. This includes building extensions, landscaping, and various home improvement projects – to larger scale housing and infrastructure development applications. If you plan to submit a planning application in Sheffield, especially for larger developments, local tree survey reports are often mandatory.

BS5837 tree reports are crucial for planning applications in Sheffield where trees are present on a development site. They ensure that developers and local planning authorities are aware of the trees’ significance, health, and how to protect and preserve them during construction. The report helps strike a balance between development and tree conservation, in line with local Sheffield tree preservation regulations.

Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation Orders: In areas with conservation area restrictions in Sheffield, protecting trees is particularly important. Local tree survey reports are crucial in such cases.

6. Choosing a Qualified Arboriculturist Tree Consultant in Sheffield:

Qualified tree professionals are important in Sheffield to ensure that the city’s trees are managed and maintained appropriately. When commissioning a local tree survey report, it is essential to hire a qualified and experienced chartered arboriculturist or qualified tree consultant with knowledge of local regulations and conditions in Sheffield. Look for professionals with the appropriate certifications and a track record of producing accurate and thorough local BS5837 tree reports that have assisted in other planning applications in Sheffield.

The Sheffield City Council has a team of qualified arboriculturists who are responsible for managing the city’s trees and woodlands. Sheffield City Council’s Trees Team also review tree survey reports provided as part of planning applications. They provide advice and guidance to developers, landowners, and members of the public on tree-related matters, including tree reports, preservation orders, tree felling licenses, and tree planting schemes. Sheffield City Council’s Tree Officers know who is approved and qualified to carry out tree survey work in the city, as the use of qualified tree consultants helps to ensure that trees are managed in a way that is safe, sustainable, and in line with local policies and regulations.

Conclusion:

In summary, local Sheffield tree survey reports are a crucial component of planning applications in Sheffield. By providing BS5837 specific information on trees and planning, as well as tree health, risk assessments, and tree preservation orders, tailored to your locality, these tree reports can help support your Sheffield planning application and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment in your community.

If you’re in the process of applying for planning permission in Sheffield, don’t underestimate the importance of a well-prepared local tree survey report. It’s an investment that benefits both your development project and the environment.

For more information or to request a local tree survey report in Sheffield, please contact AWA Tree Consultants at info@awatrees.com or call us 0114 2721124.