Subsidence Report in Staffordshire
Are trees contributing to subsidence at your Staffordshire property?
We provide clear, evidence-led subsidence reporting that helps insurers, engineers and planners understand risk, avoid assumption and progress matters without unnecessary dispute.
Fast, Clear, Planning-Ready Support
Fast response
Calls answered in 2 rings, emails replied to within the hour.
Free expert advice
Clear guidance before you commit.
Cost-effective
Working in partnership with clients to ensure planning approval first time
Typical 10-day turnaround
Industry Leading Standard
Expert Team
We stay with you from first call through to submission.
Do you need a Subsidence Report in Staffordshire?
If you’re a homeowner, a subsidence report may be needed where cracking, movement or insurer queries are linked to nearby trees. Lenders often request independent arboricultural evidence before progressing mortgages or claims.
If you’re a developer or consultant, Staffordshire LPAs, insurers or structural engineers may require a subsidence report where retained trees interact with foundations, drainage or ground conditions. Early clarity avoids escalation, delays or inappropriate tree removal.
A short review usually confirms whether a full subsidence assessment is required — and just as importantly, when it isn’t.
Across Staffordshire, subsidence risk linked to trees most often arises where:
Clay-influenced soils coincide with mature trees around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme
Historic movement has been recorded in housing estates built during earlier expansion phases
Trees sit close to shallow foundations or drainage infrastructure
Seasonal cracking appears during prolonged dry periods followed by recovery
Lenders or insurers require reassurance before progressing finance or cover
In these cases, early arboricultural input helps distinguish perceived risk from evidence-based likelihood.
We provide Subsidence Reports for properties across Stafford, Penkridge, Eccleshall and the wider Staffordshire region, supporting insurers, lenders and homeowners.
How Subsidence Survey Evidence is Tested During Planning in Staffordshire
In Staffordshire, subsidence-related tree evidence is scrutinised where foundation design, soil conditions and retained trees intersect. Planning officers assess whether root influence has been properly evaluated, whether soil shrink–swell risk has been addressed, and whether proposed foundations are proportionate to the actual level of risk. Subsidence reporting aligns with arboricultural guidance, NHBC principles, insurer requirements and, where planning is involved, BS 5837 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Clear evidence supports proportionate decisions without unnecessary tree removal or prolonged investigation.
Local Case Insight
The Process - Subsidence Reports
Each site presents different constraints, and whilst local context informs risk, the outcomes depend on proportionate, site-specific evidence. Our Subsidence Reports deliver clear, balanced, evidence-based guidance.
Key Deliverables for Subsidence Reports in Staffordshire
We provide a planning-focused output for every Staffordshire site. This typically includes:
Clear assessment of tree influence and subsidence risk
Balanced conclusions without speculation or alarmism
Evidence suitable for insurers, lenders and engineers
Practical guidance aligned with planning and risk context
Where appropriate, findings can be aligned with tree surveys, AIAs or mortgage reports to avoid duplication.
Step 1
Initial
Review
Assessment of location, tree proximity, building age and reported issues.
Step 2
Site
Inspection
Review of tree species, size, distance, soil conditions and structural context.
Step 3
Risk
Evaluation
We assess likely tree influence alongside alternative causes such as drainage or construction type.
Step 4
Reporting & Integration
Integration into wider tree, planning or development assessments where relevant.
Next Steps
Concerned about subsidence in Staffordshire?
Send us your site details and we’ll confirm what level of assessment is required.
FAQ - Subsidence Reports in Staffordshire
Do I need a tree-related Subsidence Report in Staffordshire?
You may need a tree-related subsidence report if you are experiencing issues such as stepped cracking in walls, sticking doors or windows, sloping floors, or visible movement around foundations where trees or large shrubs are present.
In Staffordshire, insurers, loss adjusters and local planning authorities often request independent arboricultural evidence before progressing insurance claims or planning matters. This includes councils such as Stafford Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Lichfield District Council.
Will a Subsidence Report slow down my insurance or mortgage process?
In most cases, no. A clear and well-scoped subsidence report is usually requested to speed decisions up, not delay them.
By providing a focused assessment of tree-related risk, likely causes of movement and proportionate management options, the report helps insurers, lenders and surveyors reach conclusions without repeated queries or extended correspondence.
What does a Tree Subsidence report in Staffordshire include?
A typical Staffordshire tree subsidence report includes:
A site inspection
Assessment of relevant trees and vegetation
Review of visible building damage
Consideration of soil conditions
An opinion on the likelihood of tree-related influence
The report then sets out practical options such as staged pruning, monitoring or, where justified, tree removal, in a format insurers and loss adjusters can use directly.
Can a Subsidence Report in Staffordshire recommend work to protected trees?
Yes. Where trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or lie within a conservation area, a subsidence report can still recommend work if the justification is clear and proportionate.
The report explains the arboricultural reasoning, references relevant guidance (such as BS 5837 where appropriate), and provides the evidence needed to support any TPO application.
How quickly can a subsidence report be completed in Staffordshire?
Most subsidence reports can be scoped quickly, with site visits arranged within standard survey lead times. Reporting is typically completed within 10 working days of the visit.
If insurers, lenders or loss adjusters are working to tighter deadlines, this can usually be discussed and prioritised where possible.
What information is helpful before a subsidence visit at a Staffordshire site?
Before the site visit, it is helpful to provide:
The property address
A brief description of the damage
Any engineer, insurer or lender correspondence
Historic subsidence information (if available)
Photos showing cracking or movement
This allows the consultant to focus on the most relevant trees, ask the right questions on site, and produce a report that directly addresses what insurers or lenders need to know.
