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Concept design

Tree Constraints Plan for Planning

A design-stage plan that places crowns, RPAs and tree quality onto the project base so the architect can see the real constraints early.

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What this document is for

Tree Constraints Plan for planning projects

A Tree Constraints Plan turns the baseline survey into spatial information the design team can work with. It is most useful before the footprint, access and hard landscape are locked.

The plan should show the relationships that matter: stems, crown spreads, category information and Root Protection Areas on a dependable base drawing.

Send the current topo or site plan with the survey requirement. We can confirm whether constraints mapping is the next useful stage.

What you receive

The tree constraints plan output is matched to the project, but the core deliverables normally include the items below. If the council has supplied its own wording, that request is reviewed first so the proposal is built around the live requirement.

Tree positions and references
Crown spread information
Root Protection Areas
BS5837 categories
Design constraints on the current base
A clear handover into concept design

Technical detail

What makes the work useful to planning and design teams.

A good tree constraints plan is not produced for length alone. The aim is not to produce a long report for its own sake. The information should answer the project question clearly and remain consistent with the drawings being used.

Use the correct base

Constraints information only helps if it aligns with the design drawing.

Show what matters spatially

The architect needs to see trees and development space together.

Use it before the AIA

A TCP is about informing design; the AIA assesses a developed proposal.

Keep revisions controlled

When the base drawing changes, coordinate the tree information so references remain reliable.

Before the document is issued

Quality control that keeps the information usable.

A TCP is most valuable while design choices are still open. Crowns, RPAs and tree references should be easy to understand alongside the site base.

It is an early design tool, not an impact assessment. Its job is to show where the main tree opportunities and constraints sit before the layout becomes fixed.

Finally, the document should make the next decision obvious. If another BS5837 stage is needed, it should be clear why and when. If the current document completes the immediate requirement, the client should not be pushed into commissioning extra work simply because it exists on a service list.

Where it fits in the BS5837 sequence

Survey first. Then use the next document only when the project is ready for it.

Most development projects near trees follow a recognisable sequence: establish the tree resource, map the constraints, assess the actual proposal, then set out the protection and construction methods needed to deliver it. Not every small project needs every document, and not every document should be commissioned at the same time.

If you are still designing, early survey and constraints information may be the most valuable spend. If you already have a stable layout, the impact assessment becomes more relevant. If planning permission is in place, the focus often moves to AMS, TPP and supervision. The quote should reflect the stage you are actually at.

01SurveyRecord the trees and establish the evidence base.
02ConstraintsMap crowns and RPAs for design.
03AssessmentTest the live proposal against the tree resource.
04Construction detailSet out protection, methods and supervision.

Common project situations

When clients normally ask for Tree Constraints Plan.

If your situation is not listed, send the actual request. The tree constraints plan should be matched to the site and planning stage. The site and planning stage are more important than matching a generic example.

Architect is starting concept design

Site has mature boundary trees

Access and parking compete with RPAs

Developer wants to understand buildable space before planning

How this helps the people on the project

Technical detail is only useful when somebody can act on it.

The same document is read differently by the applicant, architect, planning officer and contractor. Good arboricultural work makes the decision or next action clear to each of them.

Applicant

You should know what has been asked for, what the fixed-fee scope includes and whether another BS5837 stage is likely to follow. The service should remove uncertainty rather than replace it with more terminology.

Architect

The drawing references and tree information need to be coordinated so the design can respond to real constraints and later revisions can be checked without rebuilding the evidence base from scratch.

Planning team

The Local Planning Authority needs a clear line from tree quality and constraints to the proposed development, mitigation and construction controls. Consistency across the documents matters as much as volume.

Contractor

Where the project reaches site, protection and method information needs to translate into fencing, access, excavation, storage and supervision instructions that can actually be followed.

Information that speeds up the quote

Show us the project as it exists today.

For a tree constraints plan, send the site address, current architectural drawing, topographical survey if available, and the exact wording from the council, tree officer, Building Control or project consultant. Include any earlier tree survey or report too. Existing information may still be useful and should be checked before repeat work is recommended.

If there is a submission date, condition-discharge deadline or construction start date, include that at the beginning. Programme can affect what needs to happen first.

Questions

Tree Constraints Plan FAQs

These are general planning answers. Your council condition or validation request may be more specific.

When should I get a TCP?

Ideally before the layout is fixed.

Is it the same as a TPP?

No. A TCP informs design; a Tree Protection Plan is normally construction-stage information.

Does it include RPAs?

Yes, where the survey information and scope allow them to be calculated.

Can it use my architect drawing?

Yes, provided the base is suitable and coordinated.

What comes next?

Once the design is developed, the AIA normally assesses the proposal against the constraints.

Tree Constraints Plan · Planning Support

Send the plans. We will confirm the right scope.

Get a clear fixed-fee proposal for the tree constraints plan before you instruct.

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