Developers

Our team of qualified environmental consultants will help you at every stage, from planning condition discharge to implementation and building on site. We provide a full range of land, arboricultural and ecological surveys & reports and landscape design. Our mission is to support you to transform your project from initial design concept through to reality on site.

TREE CONSTRAINTS SURVEYS

BS5837:2012 is a set of recommendations and guidance that looks at tree retention or planting when proposed in conjunction with design, demolition or construction of a particular site. The objective should be to achieve a natural, harmonious relationship between trees and built structures and form, that can be sustained in the long-term.

TREE CONSTRAINTS PLANS (TCP)

The Tree Constraints Plan is produced from the tree survey and will illustrate the root protection areas for each tree and the above ground constraints of a trees canopy. This information will then aid in forming a brief letter report.

This report and plan is created to be a design tool to help identify development potential. Understanding the complete constraints and opportunities of any site, whether it be arboricultural, ecological or topographical to name but a few elements, is critical in order to design and plan a successful proposal.

ARBORICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (AIA)

An Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) is a written tree report to support your planning application following the guidance and recommendations of BS5837:2012. It considers all the direct and indirect impacts of a design proposal on trees within the development area and is prepared following us working with you to achieve a good balance between the natural and built environments, whether this be for green or brownfield sites, house extensions or strategic land development. Our strength comes from our inherent understanding of what we need to do to comply with legislation and policy, plus what Councils require and most importantly what you need to achieve to make a development viable.

ARBORICULTURAL METHOD STATEMENTS (AMS)

AMS are often required by Local Planning Authorities prior to a decision notice being given, or as part of a Planning Condition to approved development application. The AMS demonstrates how trees will be safeguarded from damage during the construction phases and provides detail on working methodologies for installing a wide range of tree protection systems and measures.

Tree protection plan

Once planning permission is achieved, a Tree Protection Plan (TPP) is a scaled detailed drawing that outlines what protective measures are to be carried out in relation to those trees being retained on a site during development. Whilst the TPP can be issued on its own, it often forms part of an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS).

Phase 1 surveys/ preliminary ecological assessments (PEA)

This is the best way to assess a site’s current ecological potential and are required as part of the planning application validation criteria. The survey aims to document and describe all habitat types present at the site, based principally on the species present, their management and structure, and subsequently makes an assessment of whether those habitats are suitable for any protected species.

Preliminary roost assessments (PRA)

Preliminary Roost Assessments (also known as initial bat surveys) which are regularly requested by Local Planning Authorities when buildings are to be significantly altered or demolished.

This is the first step in identifying whether your property or land is suitable to support roosting bats, and indeed may identify whether bats are already present. PRAs can be carried out throughout the year.

Biodiversity net gain assessments and mitigation

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an ecological principle which is defined, in the context of development, as development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before. It is also an approach where developers work with local governments, wildlife groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to support their priorities for nature conservation (CIEEM, CIRIA, IEMA, 2016).

Protected species surveys

We offer ecological surveys and advice on a number of protected species, which is required by Local Planning Authorities for home improvement, development, master planning and restoration projects.

With our highly qualified team of Ecological Consultants, we would be happy to provide a quote and discuss your ecological project needs. Please refer to our Ecology Survey Calendar to help determine when best to plan for your surveys.

Habitat and botanical surveys

Before planning any development, it is necessary to consider the site’s ecological value which includes the habitats and floral species present. Important questions to answer are:

We can provide surveys that can help towards answering the above questions, and our specialist team of ecologists are on-hand to answer any queries you may have relating to these surveys for your project.

Landscape masterplans

A landscape master plan provides a site overview and a vision for the development as a whole. It communicates the benefits of the proposal to planners, senior managers and the public.

The Master plan presents the overview, the vision for the whole site/area design, which, by establishing functional relationships between all of the parts of the site/area, then guides the detailed design and interaction of the elements which make up the whole. Master plans provide an early statement of design intention. They help to communicate the benefits of the proposal to planners, senior managers or the public.

Landscape planning

At Wharton, our experienced team adopt a holistic and design-led approach to landscape planning to create well-planned, sustainable, inspiring environments. Our creativity along with a detailed understanding of the environment and site constraints allow us to provide a space that is both beautiful and practical.

Landscape design

Using our knowledge and experience in landscape design it is our mission is to help our clients create beautiful, healthy and inclusive places where people aspire to live, work and play.

Urban design

Successful urban design is the fusion of the built environment and the beautiful outdoor space where we can eat, work and play. Urban design highlights the physical features that define the character of a development and is the sensory relationship between the built and natural environment.

Planting plans and specification

A planting plan is a well-thought out, tailored drawing which specifies the plants which will go into your space. They ensure that year-round, your garden or commercial space is packed full of colour and interest to promote beauty and well-being. We ensure that all of your planting schemes complement the hard landscaping and that you will get the optimum longevity from your plants.

Landscape visual appraisal (LVA)

Even when a project does not require a full Environmental Impact Assessment, it may still need a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) to explain its effects on the landscape and visual resource, particularly where issues of landscape character and quality are important elements of a planning application – for example, a development in an Area of High Landscape Value or of particular urban or rural character.

Landscape visual impact assessment (LVIA)

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIAs) can be key to effective planning decisions since it helps identify the impact of new developments on aesthetics of the view and landscape itself. We advise our clients on the optimum strategy in terms of landscape mitigation of adverse impacts and the best means of presenting the issues when applying for planning. An LVIA is a component of a multi-topic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA is required to accompany planning applications for developments with significant environmental effects.

Why
choose
wharton

We provide the natural advice you need to successfully balance commercial, environmental and human needs, naturally increasing the true value of your land of property.

Our highly qualified team can help you find the most successful natural-infrastructure solutions; minimise the risk to users of their land, form plans to improve ecology and advise construction companies how to work safely around their site.

Understanding the complete constraints and opportunities of any site, whether it be arboricultural, ecological or topographical to name but a few elements, is critical in order to design and plan a successful proposal.

Personal
Support

A Unique
Approach

Quality
Advice

Expert
Analysis

Commercially
Minded

Time
Conscious

Meet our team

Wharton employ a dedicated team of professionals who continue to deliver proven success, through education and a solid foundation of knowledge and experience.

Residential conversion to business use and construction of new office - Victoria Lodge, Leamington

Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).

CASE STUDIES

Redevelopment at Former St James' Hospital, Portsmouth

Wharton undertook a preliminary ecological appraisal, bat activity and emergence/return to roost surveys, and completed a shadow Habitat …

Renovation & Extension of Listed Building - Woodlands, Alveston

Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).

What our customers say

Phoned Peter for some advice, his knowledge is second to none and I will most certainly be using his company again in the future. Very seldom can I find such a reliable and professional service. Highly recommended!

Professional, knowledgeable, quickly came out to discuss our concerns regarding a number of trees in our garden which is in a conservation area. Gave great advice, provided the support and guidance we needed. Highly recommend!

Wharton provided detailed tree advice which enabled us to put forward a robust arboricultural statement and impact appraisals to support the regeneration of a central part of Peckham…and obtain a successful planning decision

We recently worked with Wharton for an AIA and Ecology Report and were impressed by their knowledge, skill and speed of delivery. Always helpful and responsive. We will certainly use them again as opportunities arise.

The service and report provided by Wharton was prompt, detailed and to a high standard. The findings allowed the Council to take an informed decision on how to manage trees on a land mark site in Worcester City

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Developers

Topographical surveys

Measured building surveys

3D laser scanning