As architects, we spend a sizeable amount of our time dealing with planning applications but what challenges do we face with our designs? We are going to take a look at some of the most common challenges we face over a series of blogs and in today’s blog, we specifically look at the impact of trees and Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) with regard to planning and design.
Trees provide invaluable ecological benefits and they are vital to a sustainable future, not to mention beautiful, especially within the local Cotswolds landscape. However, the location of trees and their roots, and their proximity to any proposed works can cause problems when it comes to planning applications. The majority of trees in conservation areas cannot just be removed and need to be applied for, and they may also be protected by TPO’s. TPO’s are an order issued to protect a specific tree or group of trees and prohibit cutting them down, uprooting, and any wilful destruction. It is important that when dealing with any TPO’s designs don’t impact the overall health and well-being of any trees with a TPO.
If your proposed architectural works are located in close proximity to any trees it is advisable to engage the advice of a trusted arboriculturist to gain professional advice and to produce a Tree Impact Statement where necessary. This can then be submitted alongside your planning application to help alleviate any concerns that the local authority may have with regard to a specific planning application. It may be necessary to tailor designs and we work hand in hand with professional arboricultural consultants throughout the process to ensure that your planning application has the best possible chance of success.