When Is An AIA Required?

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An Arboricultural Impact Assessment is commonly required when:

• Submitting a planning application involving trees

• Designing development layouts near retained trees

• Working within Root Protection Areas (RPAs)

• Altering site levels or access arrangements near trees

• Installing services, drainage, or hard surfaces close to existing vegetation

• Developing sites with Tree Preservation Orders or significant tree constraints

Local planning authorities often request an AIA as part of the arboricultural information required to validate or assess planning applications.

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What Our Arboricultural Impact Assessments Include

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Our AIA reports are tailored to the scale and complexity of each site and may include:

• Assessment of development impact on retained trees

• Analysis of proposed layouts and construction activities

• Root Protection Area considerations

• Identification of arboricultural constraints and conflicts

• Recommendations for tree retention and protection

• Arboricultural method recommendations where required

• Tree Protection Plan guidance

• Construction phase considerations

• Clear planning ready reporting

All reports are prepared with practical implementation considerations in mind, helping ensure recommendations remain realistic and achievable throughout the construction process.

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A Practical, Planning Focused Approach

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We approach Arboricultural Impact Assessments as part of the wider development and land management process — not simply as standalone reports. Our focus is on providing clear, commercially realistic arboricultural advice that supports informed planning decisions while helping clients understand site constraints early in the design stage.

Where appropriate, we work alongside architects, planning consultants, ecologists, and contractors to help integrate arboricultural considerations into the wider project from the outset.

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Related Arboricultural Services

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Arboricultural Impact Assessments are commonly supported by:

• BS5837 Tree Surveys

• Tree Constraints Plans (TCP)

• Tree Protection Plans (TPP)

• Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS)

• Construction phase arboricultural supervision

• Tree risk assessments

These services can be provided individually or as part of a coordinated planning and development support package.

 

Clients We Support

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We provide Arboricultural Impact Assessments for:

• Property developers

• Architects and planning consultants

• Private landowners

• Estate managers

• Commercial development projects

• Residential development sites

• Infrastructure and landuse projects

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UK Wide Arboricultural Support

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Arb & Environmental provides Arboricultural Impact Assessments across the UK, with a strong working presence throughout Kent and the South East including Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Ashford, and surrounding areas.

 

Need An Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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If you are progressing a development project or preparing a planning application involving trees, Arb & Environmental can provide clear, practical arboricultural advice to support your site and planning requirements.

 

Click here to contact us to discuss your project or development proposal.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arboricultural Impact Assessments (AIA)

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What is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)?

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An Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) is a technical report prepared in accordance with BS5837:2012 that evaluates how a proposed development may affect existing trees both on and adjacent to a site.

The assessment identifies potential conflicts between development proposals and retained trees, helping developers, architects and planning consultants understand what measures may be required to protect trees throughout the planning and construction process.

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When is an Arboricultural Impact Assessment required?

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An AIA is typically required after a BS5837 Tree Survey has been completed and a development layout has been prepared.

Local Planning Authorities commonly request an Arboricultural Impact Assessment where development proposals have the potential to affect existing trees, Root Protection Areas, canopies or future tree growth.

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What is included within an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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A typical AIA will assess:

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• Proposed building locations

• Access roads and driveways

• Service routes and utilities

• Excavation works

• Ground level changes

• Tree removals

• Encroachment into Root Protection Areas

• Potential impacts on retained trees

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The report identifies both direct and indirect impacts and provides recommendations to minimise harm to retained trees.

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What is the difference between a BS5837 Tree Survey and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment?

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A BS5837 Tree Survey records and categorises the trees present on a site.

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment uses that survey information alongside the proposed development layout to assess how the development may affect those trees.

In most cases, the Tree Survey comes first, followed by the AIA once a design proposal has been prepared.

 

Can an Arboricultural Impact Assessment help avoid planning delays?

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Yes. Identifying tree related constraints early allows design teams to address potential issues before submitting a planning application.

A well prepared AIA can help demonstrate that tree constraints have been properly considered, reducing the likelihood of planning objections, requests for additional information or costly redesigns.

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Do you simply identify problems or help find solutions?

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Our role is not simply to identify constraints.

We work closely with developers, architects, planning consultants and landowners to find practical solutions that balance development objectives with tree retention requirements.

In many cases, relatively minor design adjustments can significantly reduce arboricultural impacts while maintaining the overall development objectives.

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What happens if development affects a Root Protection Area?

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Development within a Root Protection Area is not automatically prohibited, but it requires careful assessment.

Depending on the circumstances, specialist construction techniques, revised layouts or additional protection measures may be recommended to minimise impacts on retained trees.

These recommendations are typically detailed within the Arboricultural Impact Assessment and any subsequent Arboricultural Method Statement.

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Do you provide Arboricultural Method Statements and Tree Protection Plans?

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Yes. We provide the full range of BS5837 services, including:

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• BS5837 Tree Surveys

• Tree Constraints Plans

• Arboricultural Impact Assessments

• Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS)

• Tree Protection Plans (TPP)

• Construction phase arboricultural monitoring

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This allows clients to obtain all required arboricultural documentation through a single consultancy.

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Can you support projects beyond the planning stage?

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Yes. Unlike many consultancies, we can support projects throughout the entire development lifecycle.

This includes arboricultural reporting, implementation of recommended tree protection measures, habitat enhancement works, monitoring programmes and long-term site management where required.

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Who do you provide Arboricultural Impact Assessments for?

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We regularly work with:

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• Property developers

• Small and regional housebuilders

• Architects

• Planning consultants

• Landowners

• Local authorities

• Commercial developers

• Infrastructure and civil engineering clients

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Our assessments are tailored to the specific requirements of each project.

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Do you have practical tree management experience?

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Yes. Our team combines arboricultural consultancy with extensive practical experience managing trees across development sites, estates, commercial properties and infrastructure projects.

This practical understanding helps ensure that our recommendations are realistic, deliverable and aligned with the realities of construction and site management.

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Can you undertake Arboricultural Impact Assessments throughout the UK?

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Yes. We provide Arboricultural Impact Assessments for projects throughout the UK, supporting developers, architects, planning consultants and landowners on projects ranging from individual dwellings to large scale development and infrastructure schemes.