f you are changing a property, developing a site, or managing trees around buildings, it can feel like trees introduce risk at every stage. You may be concerned that planning will be delayed because the right tree documents are missing. You may be worried about neighbour objections, or you may not know whether a tree is protected and what you can legally do.
For property managers and organisations, the worry is often different. It is about duty of care, keeping people safe, and keeping records that show you are acting responsibly. If you have a complaint, a near miss, or a tree that looks visibly stressed, the question is not only what should be done, but how you document that decision.
MDJ Arboricultural Consultancy supports homeowners, project teams, and property managers with clear advice and documentation, specialising in trees and the planning system across London and the south-east.
In plain English, an arboricultural consultant helps you understand the trees, your options, and the likely requirements of other parties. That starts with a site assessment, then a clear explanation of findings, and then written outputs that match the situation.
For development and planning, this often means a BS5837-led approach, producing the standard planning documents that explain impacts, retention, and tree protection during works. For safety decisions, a structured risk assessment helps you prioritise action and keep a clear record, rather than relying on informal opinion.
MDJAC provides development documentation including AIA, TPP and AMS where required. Risk assessments align to recognised frameworks such as ISA Tree Risk and Visual Tree Assessment, with flexible approaches including full inventory or negative reporting.
MDJAC supports clients including:
Homeowners needing clarity around protected trees, planning, or disputes
Landlords and managing agents seeking defensible, documented decisions
Developers, architects, and planning consultants needing tree inputs at feasibility and submission stages
Estates, schools, housing associations, and commercial sites managing duty of care at scale
Clients dealing with insurers or technical processes where evidence needs to be clear
Planning validation requires a tree survey and supporting arboricultural documents
You want early feasibility input on whether a layout can work with retained trees
Planning conditions require a Tree Protection Plan or method statement before works begin
A Tree Preservation Order application or objection needs professional handling
You need a structured duty of care approach for trees near footpaths, car parks, or public areas
An insurer has raised trees as part of a subsidence or building damage claim
Depending on your needs, this typically includes:
Initial triage to confirm the right scope and deliverables
Site visit and data collection
BS5837-led development support and council-ready documentation
Risk assessments aligned to ISA Tree Risk and VTA, with proportionate survey options
TPO support, including acting as agent with the local planning authority where appropriate
Subsidence and building damage input where instructed, contributing evidence-led recommendations
You receive:
Clear reporting and practical recommendations
Planning documents such as AIA, TPP, and AMS where required
Risk documentation with prioritised actions and a defensible record for duty of care
Clear next steps for you and any stakeholders
MDJAC serves towns including Kingston-upon-Thames, providing independent consultancy support across London and the south-east.
A staged BS5837-led workflow supports feasibility through to council-ready documents.
Benefit for you: fewer avoidable planning delays and clearer discharge of conditions.
Advice is designed to be easy to understand and implement, with proof points that emphasise practical, responsive support.
Benefit for you: clearer choices and fewer surprises on site.
Risk assessments align to recognised frameworks, scaling from small sites to large tree populations, with options such as negative reporting.
Benefit for you: proportionate risk management and better records.
MDJAC’s lead consultant holds formal arboriculture qualifications and professional memberships 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
What should I send you to get started?
If you have a validation list, planning reference, photos, or insurer correspondence, sharing these helps confirm the right scope.
Do you produce BS5837 documents?
Yes, including the core documents used for planning submissions and conditions.
Can you help with TPO applications and objections?
Yes, including acting as an agent and managing applications where appropriate.
Do I need a full tree inventory?
Not always. Options include a full inventory or negative reporting depending on what is appropriate.
What does duty of care documentation look like?
It is a structured record of inspection findings and prioritised actions, designed to be defensible if decisions are questioned.
Can you support subsidence investigations?
Yes, where instructed, providing arboricultural input alongside wider monitoring and technical evidence.