Arboriculture Impact Assessment (AIA)

HOUSING PROVIDER  (MIDLANDS)

With infill and brownfield development under the spotlight as the Government strives to deliver 1.5 million new homes, sites like Chatsworth Crescent play an increasingly important role. This former garage court in Walsall offered the opportunity to create much-needed housing, but it also contained existing trees and vegetation — alongside mature trees in neighbouring gardens and along the canal towpath. The challenge was to unlock the site for development while protecting these features and ensuring the new homes would sit within a green and resilient setting.

The Green Partnership was commissioned to undertake a full Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) in line with BS5837 (2012). This included a detailed survey of all trees on and around the site, assessment of potential impacts from development, and preparation of an Arboricultural Method Statement to guide tree protection during construction.

Working closely with whg’s development team, we identified how existing trees could be integrated and protected, and how new planting and habitat management could strengthen the site’s green infrastructure and deliver wider biodiversity benefits.

Our assessment gave whg the confidence that development could move forward while protecting key trees and enhancing the site’s natural features. The approach balanced the removal of low-value vegetation with targeted new planting and long-term management, ensuring that new homes would be delivered within an improved landscape framework.

The project shows how well-planned arboricultural advice can enable brownfield housing delivery while supporting local character, biodiversity, and green space. By combining robust tree protection with sensitive landscape enhancements, the development will provide a positive legacy for both residents and the wider environment.