Trees and planning applications
We take trees into consideration for all planning applications.
If you’re making a planning application, you must explain how you have taken existing trees into consideration and how any new trees will be incorporated. If there are any trees within 15m of any part of the development, they should be surveyed and assessed as part of an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. More details can be found in the Arboricultural Assessment section of the Validation Guide, this is currently section 7.18 on page 15 of the guide.
The Arboricultural Association and the Institute of Chartered Foresters have list of companies who can help you gather the information you need to support your planning application.
We also offer a pre-application advice service if you are unsure whether you will need to provide detailed tree reports for your proposed development.
We use a number of plans, policies and guidelines to assess how a development will affect trees, including the following.
National Planning Policy Framework
- Achieving well designed places (Section 136)
- Conserving and enhancing the natural environment (Section 187)
- Habitats and biodiversity (Section 193)
South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035
- ENV1- Landscape and Countryside
- ENV2-Biodiversity- Designated Sites, Priority Habitats and Species
- ENV3- Biodiversity
- ENV5- Green Infrastructure in New Developments
- ENV8- Conservation Areas
- ENV10- Historic Battlefields, Registered Parks and Gardens and Historic Landscapes
Tree Selection and Soil Volume Guidance for Development Sites
This Tree Selection and Soil Volume Tool supports applicants and agents in designing robust tree planting schemes by providing species selection guidance and soil volume requirements to promote long-term tree health.
How to Use the Tool
- Tree Selection: Species characteristics, including growth habit and environmental tolerances, are based on research by Sjöman, Anderson, and TDAG, helping users select suitable trees for site conditions.
- Soil Volume Requirements: Minimum rooting volume recommendations are derived from the draft BS 8640:2024, ensuring sufficient below-ground space for tree establishment and longevity.
- Planning Applications: Applicants should use this tool to justify species selection and demonstrate adequate soil provision in line with BS 8460:2024 and BS 8545:2014.
This tool aligns with local and national policy objectives for tree planting. It should be used alongside best practice guidance to inform policy-compliant planting proposals.
The council applies the recommendations of the draft BS 8640 when assessing soil volume requirements for trees planted in areas of soft landscaping surrounded by hard surfacing. This assumes a typical maximum rooting depth of 60cm, aligning with research (Hirons et al., 2018) and best practice (BS 5837:2012). For example, for a soft landscaped verge measuring 3m × 6m, the available soil volume is calculated as:
3m×6m×0.6m=10.8m3
Trees thrive best in soft landscaped areas, which should be the preferred approach over engineered solutions such as structured tree pits. For trees planted in soft landscaped areas, the council may permit a reduction of up to 20% from the soil volumes specified within the draft BS 8640. Deeper rooting assumptions (beyond 60cm) will only be considered where a detailed soil assessment confirms that the soil structure is sufficiently aerated to support deeper root growth.
Other useful guidance information can be found in the following links:
- South Oxfordshire Design Guide
- BS 5837:2012 Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. Recommendations
- BS 8545:2014 Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – recommendations
- BS 3998:2010 Tree work. Recommendations
- The Trees and Design Action Group
- The Landscape Institute
Contact us - Trees, countryside sites, ecology and landscape
01235 422600
(Text phone users add 18001 before dialing)
South Oxfordshire District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
