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Construction method

Arboricultural Method Statement for Planning

Practical construction instructions for carrying out work near retained trees without undermining the approved arboricultural strategy.

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What this document is for

Arboricultural Method Statement for planning projects

Planning permission does not remove the need to build carefully around retained trees. An Arboricultural Method Statement turns the planning commitments into practical instructions for the contractor.

The AMS can address excavation, access, demolition, service installation, scaffolding, ground protection, storage and other operations that need a controlled method.

Send the approved plans, conditions and any AIA/TPP. We can identify which operations need written methodology and where supervision should be built in.

What you receive

The arboricultural method statement 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.

Sequenced construction controls
Excavation methodology
Access and storage restrictions
Service installation controls
Ground protection requirements
Supervision/hold points where needed

Technical detail

What makes the work useful to planning and design teams.

A good arboricultural method statement 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.

Write for the contractor

The method should be practical enough to use on site.

Match the approved drawings

A method statement cannot fix a mismatch between the written report and the live plan.

Focus on risky operations

Controls should concentrate on work that can realistically affect retained trees.

Use supervision intelligently

Some stages are better controlled through a consultant attendance than pages of generic wording.

Before the document is issued

Quality control that keeps the information usable.

An AMS needs to be usable on site. Vague instructions should be replaced with project-specific controls where the information allows.

The construction drawing and written method should be coordinated so the contractor is not working from contradictory information.

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 Arboricultural Method Statement.

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

Condition requires AMS before works start

Excavation is close to retained trees

Services cross or approach RPAs

Construction access needs a tree-sensitive method

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 arboricultural method statement, 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

Arboricultural Method Statement FAQs

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

When is an AMS required?

Often after planning permission where conditions require detailed tree-protection methodology.

Is it the same as an AIA?

No. The AIA assesses impacts; the AMS explains how sensitive work will be carried out.

Does it replace a TPP?

No. They are often used together.

Can it include supervision?

Yes, where certain operations need consultant attendance.

What should I send?

Approved drawings, conditions, the AIA and any TPP are the best starting point.

Arboricultural Method Statement · Planning Support

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