What is Arboricultural Site Supervision?
If you have recently obtained planning permission for a project near trees, your Local Planning Authority (LPA) will often attach an Arboricultural Site Supervision condition to the approval.
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At Wood's Tree Consultancy Ltd, our site supervision services ensure that all retained trees are properly protected during the design, demolition, and construction phases. We act as the bridge between your construction team and the local council tree officer, ensuring that the methodologies outlined in your BS5837:2012 Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) are strictly followed.
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Our goal is simple: to help your project run smoothly, prevent costly delays or fines, and ensure the long-term health of the trees on your site.
Why Do You Need It?
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Discharge Planning Conditions: Local Councils across the UK including Surrey (Surrey Heath, Elmbridge, Runnymede, Woking), Hampshire (Rushmoor, Hart District, East Hampshire, Basingstoke and Dean), and Berkshire (Reading Borough Council, Bracknell Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham Borough Council) frequently mandate site supervision before any heavy machinery arrives on site. This is likely to include steps such as supervising the set up of Tree protection fencing, ground protection and the location that materials can be stored for the duration of the build. We provide the necessary evidence to the local authorities to discharge these conditions, so you can get on with your building work.
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Prevent Unintentional Damage: Roots and branches are easily damaged by ground compaction, severing, or chemical spills. We guide your contractors on safe working practices near Root Protection Areas (RPAs).
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Avoid Project Delays: Breaching tree protection conditions can result in Local Authorities issuing a Temporary Stop Notice, bringing your build to a grinding halt.
How our supervision process works
1. Pre-commencement conditions meeting
Before any tools are lifted or machinery arrives, we hold a meeting on-site with your project manager, contractors, and sometimes the local tree officer. We run through the Tree Protection Plan (TPP), ensure protective fencing is correctly installed, and outline restricted activities.
2. On-going site monitoring
Depending on the complexity of your site and the council's requirements, we will visit the site at key construction milestones. This is particularly important during high-risk activities such as:
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Installing specialised foundations near trees.
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Excavations or installing services (water, gas, electricity) within Root Protection Areas.
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Removing or relocating tree protection fencing (only with approval from the local authority).
3. Reporting and sign-off
Depending on the complexity of your site and the council's requirements, we will visit the site at key construction milestones. This is particularly important during high-risk activities such as:
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Installing specialised foundations near trees.
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Excavations or installing services (water, gas, electricity) within Root Protection Areas.
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Removing or relocating tree protection fencing (only with approval from the local authority).
Ready to start your build soon?
Don't let planning conditions delay your construction schedule. Whether you are building a small residential extension or a large commercial development in Surrey, Hampshire, or Berkshire, we are here to help.
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Contact Wood's Tree Consultancy Ltd today to discuss your site supervision requirements.
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