Tree questions often start small and become urgent. You might be planning building works and suddenly realise trees could limit your options. You may be unsure if a tree is protected or what the rules mean. If a neighbour complains or disputes arise over light, branches, or perceived risk, you may feel pressure to respond quickly and responsibly.
For landlords and property managers, concerns often relate to duty of care. If trees overhang areas people use, you may be worried about liability and whether you have sufficient records. If cracking or movement has appeared, you may be dealing with an insurer process and a request for specialist arboricultural input.
MDJ Arboricultural Consultancy provides independent advice and documentation for these situations, specialising in trees and the planning system across London and the south-east, serving towns including Chessington.
In plain English, you get a professional tree assessment, a clear explanation of what it means, and practical options for what to do next. The emphasis is on clarity, so decisions are based on evidence and you can show you have acted responsibly.
If you need to satisfy a council or discharge planning conditions, an arboricultural consultant produces the documents planning officers and tree officers expect. If safety is your concern, a structured risk assessment supports proportionate action and clear record keeping.
MDJAC provides BS5837:2012 development support and produces core planning documents such as Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Tree Protection Plans, and Arboricultural Method Statements where required. Risk assessments align to recognised approaches such as ISA Tree Risk and Visual Tree Assessment, with flexible options including full inventory and negative reporting.
Homeowners needing clear guidance for planning, protected trees, or neighbour disputes
Landlords and agents needing defensible, documented decisions
Developers and design teams who need tree inputs for feasibility and planning submissions
Schools, estates, housing associations, and commercial sites managing duty of care at scale
Clients dealing with insurers for subsidence and building damage questions
Planning validation requires a tree survey and supporting documents
You need early feasibility input to avoid redesign later
Planning conditions require tree protection measures before construction starts
A Tree Preservation Order issue needs advice and correct handling
You need duty of care documentation for trees near people or property
An insurer has requested arboricultural input related to cracking or subsidence
Initial triage to confirm what you need and what you do not
Site visit and data collection proportionate to the job
BS5837-led development documentation including AIA, TPP, and AMS where required
Risk assessment surveys aligned to ISA Tree Risk and VTA, with flexible survey approaches
TPO support and liaison with the local planning authority where appropriate
Subsidence-related support where instructed, contributing evidence-led management recommendations
You should finish the process with clear documentation and a confident path forward.
Typical outputs include:
A clear written report with practical recommendations
Planning documents structured for council review where required
Risk documentation with prioritised actions and a defensible record
Clear next steps for you and any stakeholders
MDJAC’s service is built around three practical outcomes that clients care about.
A staged workflow built around BS5837:2012 and validation requirements produces the documents councils typically request.
Benefit for you: fewer avoidable delays and clearer pathways through planning conditions.
Advice is designed to be easy to understand and implement, grounded in a practical background and reinforced by client feedback about responsiveness and practicality.
Benefit for you: confidence about what to do next, without guesswork.
Risk assessments align to recognised methods, with flexible reporting options for different sites and responsibilities.
Benefit for you: proportionate actions and better records for duty of care.
MDJAC’s lead consultant holds professional memberships and accreditations including Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association, Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and PTI accreditation.
Local insight that saves time
Horsham’s busy centre around The Carfax, Piries Place and Swan Walk demands smart scheduling to minimise disruption. Parking, deliveries and pedestrian routes shape how tree work is planned. Sites near Horsham Park and the River Arun require careful consideration of public use, habitat features and utilities. Developments around Broadbridge Heath and along the A24 and A264 benefit from early root protection planning and contractor briefings that keep construction moving. You get advice aligned to Horsham District validation requirements and on the ground realities, which means fewer clarification requests and faster progress.
As an independent consultancy, we act in your best interests. Your project benefits from 13 years of practical arboricultural experience, membership of respected professional bodies and complete alignment with BS5837:2012. From single tree assessments to complex, multi plot developments, you receive the same attention to detail and friendly, prompt communication.
Professional memberships and qualifications
How do I know if I need BS5837 documents?
If planning validation or conditions mention trees, BS5837-led documents are commonly required.
Can you help with protected trees?
Yes, including advice and management of applications where appropriate.
Do you offer risk assessments for multiple trees?
Yes. Options include a full inventory or negative reporting depending on what fits your site.
Will your report stop neighbour disputes?
No report can control behaviour, but independent, evidence-led advice often reduces uncertainty and helps discussions stay practical.
What should I prepare before a site visit?
Any planning documents, drawings, validation lists, or correspondence from insurers or the council are helpful.
Can you support subsidence investigations?
Yes, where instructed, contributing arboricultural input alongside wider technical evidence.