Tree Survey Sheffield: A Guide to BS5837 Tree Surveys and Planning Applications

The Ultimate Guide to Sheffield Tree Survey Reports for Planning Applications

Sheffield is known for being one of the greenest and most wooded cities in Europe and the greenest city in Britain. The city has an estimated 4.5 million trees, which represent over half of all the tree cover in Sheffield’s Urban and Rural Forests. The city’s trees and woodlands are considered one of its finest natural resources, providing a wide range of important benefits for people, making the city a healthier, more attractive place to live, work and play. Sheffield’s trees and woodlands are a key reason the team at AWA Tree Consultants lives, works, and plays here!

So, what is a Tree Survey, and why would you need to have one of your trees surveyed in Sheffield and further afield?

Trees are considered an important factor in planning policies in Sheffield. The presence of mature trees can add significant value to new developments, and their retention and protection throughout the development process is considered to be highly desirable. Sheffield has unique procedures when it comes to trees and planning, which have allowed the trees in our city to flourish with trees over our city’s history.

Ensuring the general and overall safety and health of these trees is therefore an important aspect of the planning application process.

Find out everything there is to know about Tree Surveys with AWA Trees, a professional Tree Survey Firm based in Kelham Island, Sheffield.

What is a Tree Survey?

A Tree Survey (also often referred to as a BS5837 Tree Survey) is a detailed assessment of trees on a development site, typically required for planning applications in the UK. These surveys evaluate trees for:

• Health & Structural Integrity: Identifying disease, decay, or instability that could pose risks to property, homeowners or passersby.
• Ecological Value: Assessing wildlife habitats protected under laws like the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
• Root Protection Areas (RPAs): Mapping zones where construction could harm root systems.
• Retention Potential: Recommending which trees should be preserved based on their value and condition.

A Tree Survey is, therefore, a review of the above factors. Each BS5837 Tree Survey is then given to the body that requested the survey or shared with the project as a whole. This may be (but not limited to):

• Local Planning Authority
• Developers and Architects
• Contractors
• Landowners
• Arboricultural Consultants or Tree Officers

Why are Tree Surveys Important?

The impact on existing trees and opportunities to plant new trees are considered as part of the planning application process, and a BS5837 tree survey may be required to inform Sheffield Council’s (or your equivalent local authority) planning decision.

When it comes to planning applications that involve trees on your property, having a comprehensive BS5837 tree survey report can make all the difference. Whether you are a homeowner or a developer in the Sheffield area, understanding the significance of these tree survey reports can make for a smoother planning application process and ensure compliance with local tree-related planning regulations.

What is a Tree Survey Report for Planning?

A tree survey report is a detailed document that should be prepared by a Chartered Arboriculturist or similarly qualified tree consultant, specifically for your property in the Sheffield area.

A BS5837 tree report, also known as a BS5837 Tree Survey and Report, is a specific type of tree survey and report conducted as part of Sheffield planning applications.
However, some experts argue for a more proportionate application of these standards, following the guidelines set out in British Standard 5837:2012. We discuss this perspective in our blog post, Rethinking Tree Surveys for Planning.

This standard, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), provides a framework for assessing trees and their impact on development sites, providing you with essential information for your Sheffield planning application.

What Are the Legal Requirements in Sheffield for a Tree Survey?

In Sheffield, tree survey reports are often a legal requirement for planning applications. They are essential for ensuring that significant trees are retained where suitable, and that local tree preservation orders are identified. Tree survey reports play a vital role in preventing unnecessary damage to trees during construction and development in Sheffield and the UK as a whole.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (section 197)* imposes a specific duty on the local planning authorities to ensure, whenever it is appropriate that, in granting planning permission for any development, adequate provision is made by the imposition of conditions for the preservation or planting of trees.

*Section 197 of the Town Planning Act was updated as late as the 29th of April 2025.

What are the Benefits of Tree Survey Reports In South Yorkshire?

A Sheffield-specific tree survey report is essential for ensuring compliance with local planning regulations and protecting the city’s urban canopy. Sheffield City Council processes approximately 4,000 planning applications annually (between 2018 and 2023), many requiring detailed tree assessments to prevent irreversible damage during development. Construction activities pose significant threats to trees through:

Direct damage: Root severance, vehicle impacts to trunks/branches
Indirect damage: Soil compaction, changes to groundwater levels

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Section 197) mandates that Sheffield’s planning authorities impose conditions to ensure ‘adequate provision for tree preservation or planting’ when granting permissions. Your survey report:

• Aligns with Sheffield’s unique policies on tree protection in development
• Identifies at-risk trees (including those on adjacent properties)
• Supports case officers’ decisions with arboricultural evidence

Without a proper survey, applications risk rejection or costly enforcement actions.
Yet, it’s worth considering that excessive requirements can also hinder development. AWA Tree Consultants highlight these concerns in their article, Rethinking Tree Surveys for Planning.

Sheffield council issued 47 tree protection enforcement notices in 2023 alone for unauthorised works.

Tree Survey Reports for Sheffield Conservation Areas

Sheffield boasts 38 designated, well-kept Conservation Areas. These areas are protected zones of special architectural or historic importance where preserving natural character is important. These areas enforce strict regulations regarding tree works:

Key Conservation Area Rules

• All trees exceeding 75mm trunk diameter (measured at 1.5m height) are protected.
• Six weeks’ written notice must be submitted to Sheffield City Council before any tree works.
• The Council may either:
  • Issue a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to prohibit works, or
  • Grant permission to proceed after review

Why Tree Surveys Are Important

In 2023, Sheffield issued 32 fines for unauthorised tree works in Conservation Areas. One business owner was fined £65,000 in 2023 after removing trees from ancient woodland in Chapeltown, North Sheffield. Ensuring that the trees you plan to work on are not protected by a TPO can help avoid enforcement action against you. TPOs also document tree value. Surveys record a tree’s:

• Species significance.
• Contribution to streetscape.
• Ecological importance.

However, 92% of notified works with professional surveys were approved in 2022-23.

When Are Local Tree Survey Reports Required in Sheffield?

Local tree survey reports are typically required for any construction project in Sheffield that may affect existing trees. This applies to:

• Residential projects: Building extensions, landscaping, or home improvements.
• Large-scale developments: New housing, infrastructure, or commercial projects.
• Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

Residential Construction and Large-Scale Development Projects

A BS5837 tree report is essential for planning applications involving trees for any residential construction and large-scale development projects. These reports:

• Identify the significance, health, and condition of affected trees.
• Provide measures to protect trees during construction.
• Ensure compliance with Sheffield’s tree preservation policies.

Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

Sheffield has strict protections for trees in Conservation Areas and those covered by TPOs. Key requirements include:

• Mandatory surveys before any tree works (including pruning or removal).
• Six-week notice period for proposed works in Conservation Areas.
• Formal approval from Sheffield City Council is required before proceeding.

These measures help maintain Sheffield’s ecological and historical character while allowing responsible development.

Selecting the Right Arboricultural Consultant in Sheffield

When proposing a tree survey in Sheffield, it is essential to work with a qualified and experienced arboricultural team. As chartered arboriculturists ourselves, we specialise in producing BS5837-compliant reports that meet Sheffield City Council’s stringent requirements.

Our in-depth knowledge of local planning policies, Conservation Area restrictions, and Tree Preservation Orders ensures your project remains compliant while protecting Sheffield’s valuable canopy.

Sheffield’s Trees and Woodlands Team rigorously assesses all tree reports submitted with planning applications. With years of experience working alongside council officers, we understand exactly what they look for in a survey, whether for small residential developments or large-scale infrastructure projects.

Our reports provide the precise level of detail needed to avoid delays, including tree condition assessments, Root Protection Area (RPA) calculations, and method statements for safe construction near trees.

As trusted arboricultural specialists, we combine technical expertise with practical knowledge of Sheffield’s unique urban landscape. From initial assessment to final approval, we guide you through every step of the tree survey process, ensuring your development proceeds smoothly while safeguarding the city’s trees for future generations.

For a consultation or to discuss your project’s requirements, contact our team today.

For more information or to request a local tree survey report in Sheffield, please contact AWA Tree Consultants at info@awatrees.com or call us on 0114 2721124.