Arboriculture in Edinburgh’s Historic Development
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is renowned for its spectacular and often dramatic landscape, characterised by its historic architecture, volcanic hills and stunning coastline along the Firth of Forth. Blending the medieval Old Town with the Georgian New Town, the city’s structure requires a high degree of sensitivity in any new construction or redevelopment. Crucially, Edinburgh is a city of green spaces, with numerous parks, gardens and urban forests, creating large tree populations that are protected under strict conservation measures.
The commitment to preserving the city’s environment is codified in the Scottish planning policy, which sets a high bar for environmental protection alongside sustainable development. For any proposed development within the City of Edinburgh Council area, the impact on these natural assets must be robustly assessed. Whether you are dealing with a small site requiring minor alterations or one of the many development sites designated for significant residential or commercial and domestic clients’ expansion, a professional BS5837 arboricultural survey is the critical first step.
A tree survey acts as the essential documentation required by the local authorities to secure planning applications and fulfil the developer’s obligation to environmental stewardship.
Meticulous Tree Assessment and Compliance with the British Standard
The core of our service is ensuring your project meets the British Standard for tree management: BS 5837:2012. The standard dictates the necessity for detailed tree inspections prior to any design or construction work. Our certified arboriculturists conduct a comprehensive assessment of all relevant tree species on site, noting vital statistics such as stem diameter, crown spread and overall physiological health, with the information feeding directly into the planning process.
A key output of this work is a series of precise tree reports. Tree survey reports are based on rigorous and up-to-date information, including the results of tree condition surveys, which look at the vitality and structural integrity of the flora. For exceptionally tall or dense trees, we may recommend aerial inspections to gain a full understanding of their condition. The primary purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the amenity value and health of the trees, assigning each one a retention category (A, B, C or U).
The clear categorisation of trees in relation to the proposed design is the foundation for all subsequent design decisions, guiding the architect to avoid unnecessary conflict with high-value specimens. The full report provides all of this technical information in a format readily accepted by the council.
Constraints, Impacts and Safety Assessments
To streamline the process of obtaining planning applications, our service delivers a suite of essential documents designed to mitigate the arboricultural impact of your design. The first of these is the tree constraints plan (TCP) – a vital drawing that visually defines the location of all trees and, most critically, clearly delineates the root protection areas (RPAs). RPAs define the minimum area around a tree that must be protected from disturbance during construction. The TCP often forms part of the tree protection plan (TPP), which details the protective fencing and ground protection measures to be implemented on site.
Following the design stage, we produce the arboricultural impact assessment (AIA), which formally analyses the conflicts between the proposed site layout and the retained trees, justifying any losses and outlining necessary mitigation. Where construction is unavoidable near an RPA, the arboricultural method statement (AMS) specifies the precise and non-damaging construction techniques required to protect the tree’s root system.
Beyond planning compliance, we address the property owner’s duty of care regarding tree safety. Our specialists conduct safety surveys to assess the structural integrity of large trees and evaluate potential risks to people and property. In complex cases, we use a quantified tree risk assessment to provide a numerical and objective measure of risk. Meeting your legal duty means having a professional tree consultant provide evidence-based management recommendations for any necessary tree work or tree surgery.
From Approval to Site Management and Ongoing Support
Once your planning permission is secured, our involvement continues. We ensure the tree protection measures defined in the tree protection plan (TPP) are correctly implemented on site, often performing supervisory visits. It ensures that the planning consent granted for your development sites is not jeopardised by accidental damage during construction. Where tree removal is necessary, our reports will specify compensation, often detailing the number and type of trees planted to replace lost amenity value, satisfying the local planning authority requirements.
We provide cost-effective solutions for home-owners and large-scale developers alike. Our goal is to achieve successful planning consent and lay the groundwork for future projects by establishing clear lines of communication with the tree officer liaison at the local council. For trees that remain, the reports include long-term management recommendations to ensure the continued health of the protected species of trees in Edinburgh. We are here to support your project every step of the way, providing the comprehensive advice and documentation you need for all your post-planning tree requirements, including post-planning tree work.
