Expert rankings of London arboricultural and ecology consultants for home extensions. Tree surveys from £250. Essential when TPO trees, protected species, or significant vegetation affects your planning application.
When You Need One: TPO trees nearby, trees in conservation areas, bats suspected, or significant vegetation on site
Tree Survey Cost: £250-500 for residential arboricultural report
Bat Survey Cost: £350-800 depending on season and building type
Turnaround: 5-10 working days for tree surveys (bat surveys are seasonal)
Best For Residential: Sharon Hosegood Associates, Aspect Tree Consultancy - residential specialists
Best For Complex: TEP, Tyler Grange - full ecological capability
Not every extension needs an arboricultural or ecology report. Your architect can handle standard situations. However, certain conditions trigger the need for specialist input:
| Situation | Tree Survey | Ecology Survey | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPO trees within 15m | Required | Not usually | Legal protection, root protection areas |
| Trees in conservation area | Required | Not usually | 6-week notification needed for works |
| Large trees close to extension | Recommended | Not usually | Root protection, foundation design |
| Old buildings/loft conversion | Not usually | Often yes | Bat roost potential in roof voids |
| Near water/woodland | Depends | Often yes | Protected species habitat potential |
| No significant trees/wildlife | No | No | Architect handles standard situations |
Bat activity surveys can only be conducted May to September when bats are active. If you need a bat survey, plan ahead - you cannot get one in winter. Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA) can be done year-round to determine if activity surveys are needed.
Based on our analysis of planning decisions, client feedback, and professional credentials, here are the top consultants for residential projects in London:
Arboricultural Specialists | South & West London Focus
Residential arboricultural specialists with excellent reputation in South West London. Known for clear, practical reports that satisfy planning officers while protecting viable development options.
Full Environmental Consultancy | Complex Projects
Large consultancy with full arboricultural and ecology capability. Best for complex sites needing both tree and ecology assessments, or where protected species are suspected. Higher price point but comprehensive.
Arboricultural Specialists | Residential Focus
Excellent residential arboricultural practice. Strong in North and East London. Known for responsive service and pragmatic approach to planning requirements. Good value for standard residential surveys.
Full Environmental Consultancy | Mid-Range
Mid-sized consultancy offering both arboricultural and ecology services. Good balance of capability and cost. Strong track record with London boroughs on residential and small commercial projects.
Fast Turnaround Specialists | Budget Option
High-volume practice offering fast turnarounds and competitive pricing. Good for straightforward residential surveys where quick completion is priority. Online booking system makes scheduling easy.
London Specialists | Premium Service
London-focused consultancy with strong relationships with boroughs. Known for high-quality reports that rarely require amendments. Premium pricing but excellent for sensitive sites and conservation areas.
Arboricultural & Design | Creative Solutions
Combines arboricultural expertise with landscape design capability. Good for projects where tree retention and garden design need to work together. Strong in residential extensions with significant tree constraints.
Ecology Specialists | Complex Wildlife
Ecology-focused practice with strong bat survey capability. Best choice when ecology is the primary concern rather than trees. Good for sites near water, woodland, or with known wildlife value.
Expert Witness | Complex TPO Cases
High-end arboricultural practice with expert witness capability. Best for complex TPO situations, appeals, or where tree issues are contentious. Premium pricing but exceptional quality for difficult cases.
All-Rounder | Good Value
Reliable all-round practice offering both arboricultural and ecology services at reasonable prices. Good for standard residential projects where both tree and ecology assessments are needed.
A standard BS5837 arboricultural survey for planning applications typically includes:
Details of each tree - species, size, condition, lifespan, and quality category (A, B, C, or U). This categorises trees by their value and retention priority.
Scaled drawing showing root protection areas (RPAs), crown spreads, and how they interact with your proposed development. Essential for foundation design.
Analysis of how your proposed development affects trees, and recommendations for tree protection during construction.
Specification for protective fencing, ground protection, and construction methodology to protect retained trees. Required by condition on most approvals.
| Service | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic tree survey (1-5 trees) | £250-300 | £350-450 | £500-600 |
| Full BS5837 survey (6-15 trees) | £350-450 | £450-600 | £600-800 |
| Preliminary Roost Assessment | £250-300 | £300-400 | £400-500 |
| Bat activity survey (2 visits) | £350-450 | £500-700 | £700-900 |
| Preliminary Ecological Appraisal | £300-400 | £400-550 | £550-750 |
Before commissioning surveys, check whether your property has TPO trees, is in a conservation area, or has other ecological constraints that would require specialist input.
Check your property's planning constraintsOur instant cost calculator shows realistic extension costs including professional fees. Know your full budget before committing.
Get Free Extension EstimateYou need a tree survey if there are TPO trees within 15m, you're in a conservation area with significant trees, or large trees are close to your proposed extension. Your architect or planning officer will advise if one is required.
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) legally protects specific trees. You can check with your local council's planning department or use our constraint checker. Working on a TPO tree without permission is a criminal offence with fines up to £20,000.
A bat survey may be needed for loft conversions in older buildings, demolition works, or development near water or woodland. A Preliminary Roost Assessment (£250-350) determines if full activity surveys are needed.
Site visit takes 1-3 hours for typical residential sites. Report production takes 5-10 working days depending on complexity and consultant workload. Fast-track services are available for urgent applications.
You must give 6 weeks notice to the council before removing or significantly pruning any tree in a conservation area. The council can then make a TPO if they consider the tree worth protecting, or allow the work to proceed.
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