Last updated: April 2024
Author: Rob Lambert
Editor at Arbtech, Rob is a content specialist who manages our ecology and arboriculture services copy to ensure it is accurate, up to date, and insightful for current and future clients.
Countryside Sections of Yeovil
Based in South Somerset, Yeovil is a former industrial town that previously specialised in the production of leather. It is now better known for building revenue through the production of aircraft oxygen systems and helicopters. Notable rural attractions in Yeovil include Ninesprings Country Park, Tintinhull Garden, Summerhouse Hill and Wyndham Hill, and the town itself is surrounded by stunning countryside.
Under Yeovil Town Council and South Somerset District Council, certain trees and wooded areas in Yeovil are protected, ensuring strong biodiversity and preventing unnecessary destruction of natural assets. However, this can come as a blockade to land developers, particularly as it means having to tick all the right boxes in order to carry out a planning project. That said, developments in Yeovil can go ahead if the developer arranges a tree survey to consult accordingly with a professional arboriculturist.
Yeovil Tree Preservation
South Somerset District Council details policies around protected trees and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) on their website. Both factors are similar – applying to individual trees rather than certain areas. Likewise, consent is needed before any trees within these criteria are affected as part of a land development project, and failure to do so will likely lead to a penalty in the form of a hefty fine. It would also cause significant delays to the development project.
Assessments on Trees
For any development on a plot of land that houses trees, it would be advisable to book a BS5837 tree survey. By taking this approach, the local planning authority can receive the information they need to pass an application for planning consent, eliminating all potential arboricultural issues that could otherwise cause delays.
Assessing every tree on the site, an ecologist will conduct a tree survey by grading each tree based on value and condition, and using this information, determine the best course of action for each tree. For instance, if a tree was valuable, in good condition, unlikely to affect the development and had thick roots running underground across the site, it would be advisable to retain it. However, if a tree was obstructing the development, severely damaged or in poor condition, it could be more worthwhile to move it elsewhere or destroy it.
Upon completion of the survey, the ecological consultant that carried out the survey will develop a tree survey report to detail their findings and suitable recommendations to remedy any potential obstacles. Along with any other relevant documents, the report can be submitted to the case officer of the local planning authority as part of the application for planning consent.
Confirm your Tree Survey
Gaining planning permission from South Somerset District Council and preventing unnecessary delays is a fundamental consideration for any development project in Yeovil and the surrounding area. However, you need to ensure that you choose an arboricultural consultancy that offers a reliable, dependable service and guaranteed results.
At Arbtech, our arboricultural consultants are experienced, driven and suitably qualified to carry out tree surveys to the highest standard and get planning applications across the line. You can also speak to one of our team and receive a free quote before committing. Simply click ‘Get Your Free Quote’ at the bottom of this page or visit our ‘Contact Us‘ page for more information on how you can get in touch.